Status of Wetland in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve , Nepal

Wetland means the surface of the earth that is permanently or seasonally or partially covered with water. Wetlands are most productive areas for biodiversity and local livelihood support. Nepal ratified Ramsar convention in 1987 and started to include the wetland in Ramsar site and till now nine wetland sites are included in Ramsar site. There are still lacking systematic research and conservation approach for these wetlands; therefore, our study attempted to assess the status of wetlands in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal; and explored threats and conservation challenges. We prepared list of streams and lakes and collected detail information regarding area, district, block, elevation and cultural as well as ecological importance of lakes. We recorded total 11 lakes with total 304477 m2 areas. The Sundaha lake is largest lake of the reserve having significant religious importance. We also recorded 7 streams in the reserve. Wetlands of the reserve were facing problem of sedimentation, pollution, and change in climate has also effects on these wetland ecosystem and their importance.


Introduction
Wetland, in Nepali term "SIMSAR" means field with perennial source of water including swampy paddy fields, water logged areas and ponds.Wetlands are most productive areas for biodiversity conservation [1].
Wetlands are a crosscutting sector, multidisciplinary in nature and therefore, require a common understanding and integrated approach towards its conservation and wise use of resources [2].Nepal has many different types of wetlands that range from areas of permanently flowing rivers to areas of seasonal streams, lowland oxbow lakes, high altitude glacial lakes, swamps and marshes, paddy fields, reservoirs and ponds [3].The Government of Nepal ratified the Ramsar Convention in 1987 and has incremented its contribution to the list of wetlands of international importance to currently include nine wetlands with a surface area of 34,455 hectares [4].Out of them Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is the largest and the first Ramsar site of international importance of Nepal and Mai Pokahri is a smallest and youngest Ramsar site [5].Ramsar sites of Nepal are representing 0.19% of total area of global Ramsar sites.In Nepal 193 bird species are known to be dependent on wetlands [3] [6]- [11] and 172 species of the major wetland plants are listed by IUCN [12].Wetland plants provide food, forage and cover for both domestic and wild animals.Wetlands are also one of the most threatened habitats because of their vulnerability and attractiveness for development [13].
The systematic study of wetlands in Nepal is very recent [14].In Nepal 163 wetlands are situated in Terai, and 79 in the hills and mountains [15].Wetlands continue to be degraded and lost despite their immense ecological, economic and socio-cultural values [16].The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) is the administrative authority of the Ramsar convention in Nepal [4].Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) is only one hunting reserve managed under DNPWC with no any scientific data about wetlands.In this study, we found out the preliminary information of wetlands of DHR.Main wetland sites are lakes and streams in DHR so we listed the name of streams and prepared the detail information on lakes.

Listing the Streams and Lakes
During February to March 2013, we analyzed Topo maps and conducted the interviews of reserve staffs and local key informants to find out the information about streams and lakes and during April to May 2013 we visited these streams and lakes to collect information about each wetland, measure their areas, explore threats and gather the additional information to understand status of each wetland.We listed out the streams of study area and districts on which lakes and streams are existed.

Area Calculation
We collected the GPS points of boundary of famous lakes.We recorded elevation by the help of GPS and we took photographs also by the help of digital camera.In DHR office we prepared the maps of all lakes and calculate the each wetland area with the help of Arc GIS 9.3.During field study, we gathered additional information on ecological and cultural importance of each site.

Streams
We recorded 7 streams in the reserve (Table 1).Uttarganga Khola (Khola refers to small river) is most famous stream having religious importance.It is longest than others.It is known as Sani Veri river at the outer side of reserve.Rukum district covers the 60% area of the reserve so this district is also rich in wetland than other districts.Tatopani Khola is also known as Seng Khola in Seng block but it is widely known as Tatopani Khola (hot water stream) throughout the reserve.These perennial streams are supporting the wildlife for drinking water throughout the reserve.

Lakes
We recorded total 11 famous lakes in the study area (Table 2).Total 304477.098m 2 area is covered by lakes in the reserve.Lake Sundaha (gold pond) is largest lake of the reserve having the religious importance.It covers             more than 17 hectares area.Local herders pray to god of this lake to save own cattle from wild predator.Lake Laden first is situated at highest elevation.Most of the lakes are situated in Rukum district (Figure 13).Only one lake is situated in Myagdi district.Lake Rakesh is smallest lake covering only 291 m 2 but having the religious importance.Most of the lake area falls on the elevation range between 4400 m -4800 m (Figure 14).No any lake is recorded in more than 4800 m elevation and only one lake Ganaune (bad smelling) is recorded in below 3800 m elevation.

Conclusion
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is rich in wetland sites.These wetlands play vital role in wetland biodiversity conservation within the reserve.Wetlands are prime sources of drinking water for wildlife as well as humans living around the reserve; it has been supporting different diversity of culture and having religious importance with each site.The reserve supports 14 ecosystems types [20]- [22] and each wetland site provided unique support to sustain these ecosystems.During study we recorded some water birds in lakes and streams.Some lakes like  Ganaune, Pupal and Rakesh were getting polluted as well as loosing size due to siltation.It is essential to pay attention to conserve the natural beauty of these lakes and to control the pollution.A management authority should conduct the program to manage these lakes.This study found out the preliminary data about the wetlands of DHR.This information would be useful for further management of wetland in the reserve.Climate change was impacting Himalaya biodiversity [24], we also concluded that the change in such climate in the DHR might also impact in wetlands biodiversity and its sustainability, therefore, further study on climate change impact on wetland ecosystem is necessary.The lake Sundaha is relatively large and nearer to the lake Rakshes (Monster) and supporting the wetland birds so it is necessary to study to include it in Ramsar site.

Figure 13 .
Figure 13. District wise distribution of lake area in DHR.

Figure 14 .
Figure 14.Elevation range wise distribution of lake area in DHR.

Table 1 .
Streams of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve with their situated blocks and districts.

Table 2 .
Lakes of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve with their situated blocks and districts.