Nepal, Jan. 8 -- A nationwide count of water birds kicked off in several parts of the country from Saturday. About 350 ornithologists, birding enthusiasts, nature guides and volunteers have been mobilised for the bird count.

"The counting of water birds began simultaneously in Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan, Koshi areas and Pokhara on Saturday. The ornithologists, nature guides and volunteers have been carrying out counts in the Manohara and Bagmati rivers and Taudaha Lake in Kathmandu," said senior ornithologist Hem Sagar Baral, who is the national coordinator of water bird census this year. "Likewise, bird counting is underway in 15 different places in Chitwan, more than a dozen places in the Koshi areas and 10 places in Pokhara."

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