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Nepal with its diverse geographical and climatic variation can offer habitat for a wide range of migratory birds. Around 212 species of migratory birds visit and spend nearly six months in the different parts of Nepal. Birds like waterfowl, eagles, storks, cranes and other species make this land a temporary habitat during different weather conditions.

Around 150 birds from Russia, Europe, Mongolia and other northern countries migrate to Nepal during winter seasons to avoid the harshest cold. They arrive in Nepal flying thousands of kilometers over the mountains and seas and return following the same route in summer. During this journey, they have to go through difficult conditions like cold weather, harsh wind, predators and also humans, our polluting activities and environmental degradation. Similarly, in search of more pleasant temperatures and breeding sites, around 62 species of summer migratory birds arrive in Nepal from Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South India.

Migratory birds use different habitats like wetlands around ponds, lakes and rivers, farmlands, grasslands and forests. These habitats are mostly used by the winter visitors and being the destination for winter birds, not only do they provide warmer temperatures but also a habitat with an abundance of food sources. They prefer mostly insects, small fishes, plants, seeds and other organisms.

Insects are abundant in green areas with higher forest biomass and are a good source of protein for migratory birds as well as others for survival and continuation of lineage. Understanding the type of insects they prefer helps in conserving the birds, insects and their habitat. 

Human activities like habitat fragmentation, encroachment, dumping of sewage, using chemical fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides for better crop production decrease the insect population. Birds store fat in their body while starting their journey and ample availability of the food species, such as insects, are vital for this accumulation process. This accumulated fat provides energy while flying for long hours. On the contrary, in the present scenario of decreasing habitat and foraging areas, due to human encroachment and pollution there are threats to declination in the population of insects and birds. Anthropogenic activity in light pollution in urban areas also is a major reason for the decline of insects as they are nocturnal and are easy to trace by predators.

Relationship between birds and insects

Bird migration is one of the crucial components of bird biology. Migration to distant land is in search of suitable temperature, breeding and foraging habitat. In the course of migration and breeding for birds, insects are the main source of diet providing necessary nutrients in non-stop flight as well as safety from predators. There is a complex relationship between birds and insects. It is important that the timing of bird migration and abundance availability of preferred insects coincide. If the birds arrive early or late or when insects are less in number, birds may starve but if birds arrive when the insect numbers are high then the birds can get plenty of nutrients. There is an evolutionary relationship between birds and insects. Birds and insects evolve in response to each other. Birds have specialized beaks in course feeding behavior with time. This evolved specialized beak allows them to catch insects. On the other hand, insects themselves have defensive abilities like camouflage and toxin-producing capacity to protect from predatory birds. Birds are effective pest control as they consume most of the insects preventing the overpopulation of insects. Numbers of certain insect species damage agriculture crops and other plants mis balancing the ecosystem. Sometimes birds act as a vector in transferring certain infectious diseases. Hence it is better to understand the food behavior of those migratory birds.

What can we do?

Being the migratory birds, coordination between countries should be encouraged, protecting the habitats underneath the path of the migration route, controlling illegal hunting, using alternatives of pesticides to minimize its effects on the environment, educating people about the significance of birds and insects, and cleaning up urban gardens. Moreover, restoring the habitats by creating insect’s insect-friendly gardens or urban forests, restoration of grasslands, and wetlands, and planting insect-friendly vegetation can increase insect diversity and population. Not only insects are a good source of nutrients for birds but also help in pollinating crops.

In addition, supporting organic farming and agroforestry, prioritizing diverse crops or plants over monoculture, and using fewer toxic pesticides and insecticides also help in increasing insect numbers. Likewise, maintaining dead leaves on the ground which is used as a habitat, breeding and feeding ground by insects is also a positive marker. Doing so helps in the nutrient cycle. Removing invasive plants and planting native plants is good for the local ecosystem and can be consumed by local insects thus increasing the number. Insect-favoring landscaping gardens and bird-friendly designs are the next better steps where they can find a healthy environment to survive and breed for healthy generations.

For the conservation of migratory species, it is essential to ensure that they are protected in both the habitat and multilateral environmental agreements are vital in that regard. Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), is an important multilateral agreement to protect the migratory species. However, Nepal has only signed the CMS for the birds of prey. Nepal needs to sign and rectify the convention and join the global movement to protect additional migratory species. 

Likewise, public awareness is key for educating bird-insect relationships. World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice every year in May and October. This year, World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on May 11 and Oct 12, aligning with the cyclical nature of bird migration in different hemispheres. With the slogan of Protect insects, protect birds. Some Insects can be petrifying to look at but it is the source of food for 55 percent of world birds. So, we need to save insects and appreciate them for their helpful qualities to protect many bird species, including migratory birds.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has predicted the possibility of heavy rainfall in the South Asian region, including Nepal, this monsoon. According to the department, Kaski, Syangja, Lamjung and southern parts of Manang and Mustang are likely to receive heavy rains this year.

Heavy rainfall has also been forecast for the eastern and northern regions of Gulmi, and the western and northern regions of Gorkha. Furthermore, Saptari, major parts of Siraha, southern regions of Dhanusha, Sarlahi, and Mahottari, the western region of Sunsari, and the southern region of Udayapur are also expected to experience heavy monsoon rains.

However, it seems the government has not made adequate preparations to tackle potential monsoon hazards. As temperatures rise and air becomes warmer, we are witnessing more intense downpours, increasing the risks of floods and landslides. In recent years, Nepal has witnessed two major flood events—the Melamchi flood and the Kagbeni, Mustang flood—caused by heavy rainfall over a short period.

The government should make necessary preparations to address climate-related hazards. There is a designated agency, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, responsible for addressing natural disasters. However, it has yet to formulate concrete plans to mitigate risks even though monsoon is at our doorsteps. According to NDRRMA, floods have claimed 876 lives, with an additional 563 reported missing and 209 injured over the past 12 years. At the same time, landslides have resulted in 1,483 fatalities, with 347 people still missing and 1,224 others injured. The monetary damage caused by monsoon disasters over the past 12 years is estimated at
Rs 20bn.   

Despite such an alarming scenario, the government of Nepal seems least bothered about making adequate preparations for mitigating risks. There is a lack of coordination among the state's security agencies, such as the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force. Additionally, there is no proper mechanism for effective coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments. Without further ado, the government should prioritize preparations to safeguard people's lives and properties from monsoon hazards.

Herpetofaunal species including turtles are yet to receive the conservation attention they deserve, with the only exception being the Gharial considered the tiger of the herpetofauna group. The condition of turtles is pitiful in Nepal. Many of the threats they face originate from anthropogenic sources that include shrinkage of habitat and pollution. Majority of the turtles in Nepal are listed as threatened species in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species including the softshell turtle (Nilssonia gangetica). This is a cause for concern and demands immediate intervention.  

Among the class of reptiles, turtles are the oldest, with 356 species documented globally. Nepal is home to 17 species and 19 sub-species of turtles. Turtles in natural habitat are reported from the forest and wetland of Nepal’s lowland regions. All other species of turtles, with the exception of the elongated tortoise, rely on wetlands and water resources in some way. Softshell turtles inhabit water resources like rivers, lakes, oxbows and ponds. This is one of the largest turtle species found in the Indian subcontinent distributed across Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi and Koshi rivers. The species deposits their eggs on sandbanks and makes use of riverbanks for basking during the summer. Usually they are observed near the Muggers or Gharials on the riverbank of the Tarai region. 

Softshell turtles possess the ability to maintain the water quality of aquatic systems also known as scavengers of aquatic ecosystems by consuming insects /phytoplankton.

Human population density is high in the Tarai region and the cascading impacts are seen on the ecosystem nearby. In recent years, dumping of solid waste in the riverbank is increasing which pollutes the aquatic bodies, thereby decreasing the availability of food for turtles. 

Furthermore, similar to the other turtle species, softshell turtles are experiencing mounting exploitation pressure. The potential of the individuals being captured and consumed before reaching sexual maturity is high in case of turtles, meaning all the turtles including the softshell turtles are more sensitive to exploitation pressure. Myths about medicinal values in turtle shells and consumption of turtle meat by some indigenous groups have also driven the turtle population into extinction. The Hindus, meanwhile, revere turtles as one of the avatars of god Vishnu and believe that keeping the species at home brings good luck and prosperity. This practice has encouraged the practice of snatching turtles from their natural habitat and keeping them as pets. 

In addition, natural predators like dogs, monitor lizards and jackals consume their eggs during nesting period and are responsible for population declination. In most of the cases those species are entangled either in plastic materials or gillnet during fishing. 

Threats like canalization of rivers have also caused problems like habitat fragmentation and shrinkage, disrupting the connection between the river ecosystem and wetlands. This directly disturbs the movement of the species in its habitat, resulting in the loss in genetic variation in species. 

Several anthropogenic pressures are creating stress on softshell turtles and their habitats, pushing them toward extinction. 

However, some initiatives have been working in terms of turtle conservation. TRCC (Turtle Rescue and Conservation Centre) Jhapa and a turtle breeding center in Chitwan have been working to conserve turtle species. However, their efforts are still insufficient to conserve the overall turtle species. Environment Protection and Study Centre (ENPROSC) has initiated Turtle talk Nepal with the aim of promoting the research and conservation of the turtle fauna in Nepal. Every year on May 23 they organize an event where conservationists discuss the wider issue of turtle research and conservation. However, the government’s involvement in turtle conservation activities are almost non-existent. 

Turtles are vital for the balance of the environment and they are facing threats from natural and anthropogenic factors. Thus, it is high time to care about the species and initiate a conservation program.  

The attraction of Nepalis towards keeping turtles as pets and the easy availability of the red-eared slider on online market stores requires attention of the researchers and policy makers. The red-eared slider is included on the list of the world’s 100 most invasive species, indicating these reptiles cause serious impact on biological diversity.

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is a common semi-aquatic turtle native to North America. It is widely distributed across the globe mainly introduced through pet trade. It is a popular pet turtle across the world, and the popularity is often associated with their colorful appearance and relatively easy-care requirements. Aquarists find young red-eared sliders particularly appealing due to their small size and vivid color. But they grow rapidly into less attractive, aggressive large individuals requiring more space and other complex needs. 

They are very active and can escape from captivity and may also be released into nearby water bodies to get rid of the annoying pet after a while. These turtles have found their way to non-native water bodies when they escape accidentally or released intentionally by pet owners as they grow too large or become too difficult to care for. These turtles are known to outcompete native species as they can breed successfully in newer habitats. The process of invasion is supported by its characteristics of high fecundity, aggressive behavior, release of chemical cues and adaptability to new habitats.

As popular pets, the captive red eared slider can be found in various household aquariums, online marketplaces as well as in zoos in Nepal. This species is well established in wetlands such as Taudaha Lake in Kathmandu. The presence of red eared sliders was also noted in Chitwan according to a study. The distribution can be estimated to be wide as there is a lack of targeted studies on turtles in Nepal. Due to which the consequences caused by this exotic species on native turtle fauna of Nepal is unknown. The Nepalese turtle fauna consists of seventeen species and nineteen subspecies of native turtles. Of these, thirteen species are already listed in the threatened category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

It is obvious that this exotic turtle species competes for resources like food, basking site and nesting site with the native turtles. Red-eared sliders are omnivorous feeders and feed on both the plant and animal matter. The juveniles mostly prefer more plant food while mature turtles, especially females consume more animal matter in their diet posing serious threat to native species. It was found that it prey on new hatchlings and juveniles of native species and causes the populations of native species to decline.  As observed in captivity they can victimize water birds and native turtles (Lissemys punctata, Pangshura tecta) which can be predicted due to their aggressive behavior. Trachemys scripta species are identified as the potential carrier of various parasites and pathogens including Salmonella. 

All the species of turtles found in Nepal are listed under Appendix I or Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna). This means that the trade of native species is strictly prohibited and controlled. This exacerbates the import of exotic turtle species for household pets and market stores. There are many cases of rescue and confiscation of various turtle species by police from poachers and merchants. There may be presence of non-native species and the release of seized turtle species to natural habitats without proper protocols can be a threat to native turtles.

There is a lack of targeted studies and documentation  on the introduced faunal species, their impacts and invasive nature in Nepal. Likewise, there hasn’t been any documentation of red-eared slider turtles being established as invasive species in Nepal. However, they can be seen widely in captivity and occasionally being released into the wild. Being one of the worst invasive species in the world, the potentiality of red-eared slider turtles to become established in Nepalese freshwater ecosystems cannot be denied. Their high reproductive rate, adaptability to various habitats, and potential competition with native species for resources could lead to local extinction and ecological disruptions. When invasive species cause harm, it can be challenging and costly to manage and control. Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species through careful monitoring and regulations is crucial for protecting native biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems.