Water resources policy and administrative management

The Beeshazar Lake System (3200 ha) lies in Buffer zone of Chitwan National Park (World Heritage Site). Chitawan District. Declared as Ramsar site in 2003, It holds a global significance in the conservation of endangered wildlife and others by providing excellent habitat including the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), endangered tiger (Panthera tigris), one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), vulnerable Smooth-coated Otter (Lutra perpiscillata), Sloth Bear (Melaurus ursinus), Marsh Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptotilos javanicus), Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), and Band-tailed fish eagle (Haileetus leucoryphus). The Beeshazar lake system having finger-like projection with series of associated lakes, meadows, swamps and marshes present which is an intricate ecological system with a variety of physical, hydrological and vegetative characteristic. Lake is a surface and ground water fed natural fresh water lake. Rainwater impoundment in rainy season and additional water supplied from Khageri Canal. The main habitats within the lake system include: permanent and seasonal fresh water lakes, permanent and seasonal freshwater marshes and streams, freshwater swamp forests, seasonally flooded forests, grassland, terrestrial forest and irrigation canal. The terrestrial vegetation is dominated by Sal (Shorea robusta) forest. The prominent associated species include Myrobalan (Terminalia alata), Silk cotton (Bombax ceiba) and Bot Dhainyaro (Lagerstroemia parviflora). The aquatic vegetation is represented by extensive coverage of floating leafed species mainly water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Water Chestnut (Trapa bispinosa) followed by Evening Primrose (Ludwigia adscendens). The free floating species include Water Velvet (Azolla imbricata) and Duckweed (Lemna spp.).The abundant submerged species include Hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and Water Nymph (Najas minor). Degrading water recharging pockets and drainage system, increasing pollution as a result of waste disposal and dumping in the Khageri river bank and littering in Beeshazar, siltation, eutrophication, excessive growth of weeds, unsustainable harvesting of biological resources, over extraction of a biological resources, poisoning of fish and birds and birds trapping are the pertinent issues to be addressed for sustainable conservation and management of wetlands in Beeshazar lake and associated wetlands. Thus the project aims to conserve the wetland by involving local community and also derive benefits from the wetland.

Nepal