Invasive ‘Besram’ weed threatens Ghodaghodi lake, raising concerns over wetland survival

Kailali: The expansion of the invasive ‘Besram’ weed in Ghodaghodi Lake, a site listed on the World Ramsar List, is pushing the lake towards a potential ecological crisis.

The internationally recognized wetland, also known as Nepal’s first bird sanctuary, is increasingly being covered by Besram, particularly in its northern and eastern sections. This spread is affecting the lake’s natural appearance as well as the biodiversity dependent on the wetland, including aquatic species and bird habitats. According to Dipendra KC, Senior Forest Officer at the Division Forest Office Pahalmanpur, around five hectares of the lake area are currently covered by the weed. He warned that due to its rapid spread, a much larger area could be affected if timely control measures are not implemented.

KC stated that efforts to remove Besram have been included in the annual program of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment of Sudurpaschim Province, with a budget of approximately Rs 100,000 allocated for the current fiscal year. Of the affected area, around two hectares are densely covered by the weed.

However, due to limited resources and budget constraints, authorities plan to clear only about half a hectare this year. “At present, about five hectares are covered with Besram,” KC said. “Based on available budget and manpower, we have set a target to manage only half a hectare this time, but long-term control will require additional investment and sustained efforts.”

In the fiscal year 2080/81, around two and a half hectares were cleared with a budget of Rs 300,000, while in the previous fiscal year, three hectares were cleared with Rs 500,000. Despite these efforts, the problem persists as the weed continues to spread annually.

Dil Dhami, manager of the Ghodaghodi Lake Conservation and Public Awareness Forum, said that the expansion of Besram is steadily increasing. He noted that although clean-up campaigns have been conducted in collaboration with the Division Forest Office, the current year’s budget is insufficient. Similarly, Dayaram Chaudhary, Chairman of the Bird Conservation Network Kailali, said that previous control initiatives carried out by organizations such as the Wetland Conservation and Utilization Project and the Bird Conservation Network Kailali could not be sustained due to limited funding.

Chaudhary warned that if the spread of Besram is not controlled in time, there is a risk that the Ghodaghodi Lake area could gradually turn into grassland, posing serious threats to wetland biodiversity.

Janak Padhya, Senior Divisional Forest Officer at the Division Forest Office Pahalmanpur, said that invasive species like Besram cover the water surface, displace native plants and aquatic life, and negatively impact bird habitats. He emphasized that long-term planning, adequate budget allocation, and coordination among concerned agencies are essential to address the issue effectively.