By Abinash Chaudhary
Dhangadhi, Sept. 28: A large number of small pratincoles (Pani Gauthali) have been sighted in Kailali, which are said to be important for biodiversity.
About 10,553 small pratincoles have been spotted on the premises of the Mohana River at Kailari Gaunpalika-4. This is the first time such a large number of small pratincoles have been observed outside a protected area in Nepal, experts said. The species is on the red list among birds in the country. 
According to ornithologist Hirulal Dagaura, the group of small pratincoles found in the Mohana River recently is the largest group recorded in Nepal so far. "Never before have so many small pratincoles been found in any part of the country," he said. The species of bird is found in 20 countries of the world including Nepal.
For the first time in Nepal, the small pratincole was recorded in the Kathmandu Valley. In the 19th century, a man named Hudgson recorded the species in Kathmandu. Around 2,000 birds were last seen in Meghauli, Chitwan, before 1990, according to records. 
Then in 2012, 3,467 small pratincoles were seen in Chitwan, according to the Bird Conservation Association (BCN). Similarly, in 2015, more than 3,000 birds were recorded at the Koshi River area and 1,000 in Bardiya.
This species of the bird, which prefers to live in the wetland areas, is found in the Karnali River in Bardia National Park.
Similarly, it is also found in Arun Khola of Nawalpur, the Rapti and Narayani rivers of Chitwan National Park, the Koshi River, Rapti of Dang and the Mohana River of Kailali.
According to ornithologist Dagaura, the species of bird is found more in the summer season and less in the winter season around the Mohana River. It is said that the bird is mostly hunted in the inland area of the ​​Mohana River, he added.
He said that the destruction of habitat and removal of sand and ballast from the river area has been causing problems to this species. It is also said the species of the bird is on the verge of disappearance due to poaching and hunting as well as problems in the breeding process. The species is mainly found in sand and rock on river banks and lakes.
BCN expert Krishna Bhusal said they were surprised to find a large number of such species on the Mohana River premises. "The number of small pratincoles in Nepal ranges from a minimum of 3,000 to a maximum of 5,000," he said. "It is a big surprise for us to see 10,000 small pratincoles around the Mohana River."