Kathmandu, Feb. 1 -- Experts have called for urgent protection of wetlands following another winter with a sharp decline in the number of migratory water fowl in Nepal's lakes and rivers this year.

Preliminary results of this year's bird census conducted from 2-18 January show a fall in not just the total number of water birds, but also the species count - a third year in a row with such a worrying decrease.

The Kosi River this winter recorded a total of 19,522 water birds of 62 species, much lower even than the 21,744 waterfowls of 58 species counted last year. The Jagadishpur Ramsar site also recorded only 12,476 water birds against last year's 15,496.

Birders at Chitwan, Karnali River and Badaiya Lake also counted fewer ducks, geese...