२१.१२°C काठमाडौं
Impact of highway expansion: As the habitat is destroyed, pythons enter the settlements
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
A python about 9 feet long was seen on March 20 in Mechinagar-7 Satighatta tea garden. While some locals were trying to kill it by throwing stones, a team of conservation workers reached and rescued the python and brought it to the Panchpokhari community forest and released it. Four days later, another 5-feet long python was spotted at Amdangi in Mechinagar-4.
The python was also brought to the Telpani community forest area after rescue. On Chait 30, another 7 feet long python was found again in Jorsimal area of Mechinagar-7. The rescue team rescued it from the locals and brought it to the nearby wetlands and released it.
In the last week of March, three pythons were found around the settlement, and the degradation of their habitat is believed to be the reason. During the expansion of the Kakdavitta-Laukhi four-lane road on the East-West Highway, after cutting down the trees, the dependent animals, reptiles and wild animals have been scattered there. Tree cutting work has started here from the second week of February.
During the road upgrading process, the old trees around the highway were cut down and the pythons that have been living there for years have been scattered for survival, conservationists say. Conservationist Shankar Luintel said, 'When the tree felling started, the pythons were found to be wandering around to save their lives.' are found "During the cutting of trees, pythons' habitats have also been destroyed," Luintel added, "that's why pythons have dispersed to save their lives." Jhapa's Jalthal, Charali and other areas are considered to be the main habitats of pythons.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, Forest and Environment of Koshi Province, the 120 km long road from Kakdavitta-Laukhi is being upgraded. The road is being widened to 50 meters with service lanes in urban areas, 33 meters in semi-urban areas and 24 meters in forest areas. In that process, more than 12 thousand trees are being cut.
According to Devendra Kharel, a bird and wildlife researcher, hundreds of birds of different species that depend on old trees and their branches have also been displaced after tree cutting. According to him, Mechinagar area is home to about 337 species of birds. Among them, tall and old trees around the highway were the habitat of birds like Bhundifour Gadul, Bakulla of all three types, Jalewa, Karra Sawari. Along with pythons, white goman snakes and other rare snakes, birds like kurturke, woodpeckers have also been displaced.
