Save the Gharials

The Gharials are the only surviving member of once well represented family Gavidae, and are now listed as a Critically Endangered by IUCN. It is very Unique of all the Crocodilian species in having an elongated snount. The Nepali or local name for Gharial is घऱियाल or घड़ियाल ! 

They are nearest surviving relatives of Dinosaurs, Sarcosuchus  commonly called Super Croc, an extinct genus of crocodyliform had few similarities with present day Gharial. Sarcosuchus also had a strange depression at the end of its snout. Called a bulla, it has been compared to the Ghara seen in Gharials. Unlike the Ghara, though, the bulla is present in all Sarcosuchus skulls that have been found so far. This suggests it was not a sexually selected characteristic; only the male Gharial has a ghara.

Its distribution is restricted to Ganges and Bramaputra river systems. It is found in Narayani, Koshi, Karnali and Mahakali rivers of Nepal. The Gharials are known to live upto 60 years or more. The Gharial were once known to have been spread all over the major river system in Indian sub continent and now prevail only in Nepal and India.Numerous threats has led to extinction of the species from Bhutan, Burma and Pakistan and almost extinct from Bangladesh. Their population has declined in recent year. 

"Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal held Gharial census on January-February 2008. The census estimated a total of 81 Gharials in Nepal. Out of total Gharial recorded during the census, 70 Gharials were recorded through direct sighting while 11 were based on indirect observations." - (Extracted) 

Even though the Garials can exceed 5-6 meters they are not man-eaters, as they have a small but elongated snout they are only capable to consume fishes, not large prey and doesn’t pose a threats to human. Hunting poaching and habitat destruction has caused a rapid population decline. In Nepal there is a belief that “Ghara” – a bulb like part in the tip of the snout, when placed under pillow of pregnant woman makes her childbirth safe, easy and painless. Various such misconceptions regarding their use for medicinal purposes, hunting them for their eggs and skins are primarily the reason the Gharial population are decreasing. But these days the Government has kept Gharial under protection which has helped to reduce the declining population rate. 

Male Gharial with Ghara on tip of the snout

Save the Vultures

Vulture's play a very important role in the Ecosystem.They are the Scavengers capable of rapidly consuming carcasses and preventing pollution. Not only that, they have been used by many societies in Nepal and Tibet for Crematory purposes also known as "Sky Burial" . But in recent years with Vultures exposed to a certain drug called "Diclofenac" , there has been huge decline in Vulture population. Vultures that consume sufficient tissue from treated carcasses die from the effects of diclofenac-induced kidney failure. Diclofenac has been banned since June of 2006 by the Nepal Government. Instead of Diclofenac, Meloxicam has been incouraged to use.  Nepal to conserve and consolidate the conservation initiatives for all vulture species found in Nepal.Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2009-2013) is a part of the greater effort of the Government of Nepal.


"Within Nepal, India and Pakistan vulture populations have undergone dramatic declines in
numbers since the mid 1990s, with declines in excess of 97% for three resident species
(white-rumped, slender-billed and long-billed vulture Gyps indicus now confined in India).
In India, numbers of white-rumped vultures have declined by 99.9% from 1992 to 2007
(Prakash et al. 2007). Monitoring of vultures in Nepal indicates declines of a similar
magnitude with a >90% decrease in numbers up to 2001 (Baral et al. 2004). As a
consequence, these three Gyps vulture species were listed by IUCN, the World Conservation
Union, in 2000 as Critically Endangered (IUCN 2007)."


Vulture restaurants has been established in various part of the Country to provide the Vultures with Diclofenac free carcasses. Which is a very good initiative to for the conservation of Vultures.

Six resident vulture species (white-rumped vulture Gyps
bengalensis, slender-billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris, Egyptian vulture Neophron
percnopterus, red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Himalayan griffon vulture Gyps
himalayensis, and Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus) are found in Nepal along with one winter visitor (Cinereous vulture
Aegypius monachus) and one passage migrant (Eurasian griffon vulture Gyps fulvus).

                                                   Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), (EN)

                                                     
                                                         Himalayan griffon (yps himalayensis) 

                                                         Lammergeier (Gypaetus barabatus)

                                                   Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), (CR)

                                                  Slender-billed vulture (Gyps-tenuirostris), (CR)

                                                     White rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis)

                                                   Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus)

                                                      Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus)

Promote Vermicompost in Nepal

Most of you might not know what Vermicompost is, (And this is just a brief explanation about Vermicomposting, more to come later)

Vermicompost is also known as Worm compost, Vermicast, Worm castings, worm humus or worm manure.Vermicompost is similar to that of normal composting, the difference is that it uses Worms in addition to Microbes and Bacteria to turn Organic waste into a nutrient rich fertilizer. Hundreds of Organic materials are thrown out as garbage daily in our household which are in turn thrown into the River System, which results in water and air pollution. If those Organic materials are to be turned into compost using the worms then it would definitely help reduce pollution at the same time increase soil fertility!

What are the advantages of Vermicompost and why chose Vermicompost to normal composting?

Most people think about the foul odor when they are told about Composting. But Vermicomposting doesn't produce foul odor, since the Organic materials are feed upon by the Worms, digested and excreted! Not decomposed out in the environment!

Vermicompost being environmentally friendly has another advantage to it, time! Its takes not more than few weeks (about 6-7 weeks) to produce the fertilizer. And since the worms eat more than their body size they readily produce the casting in short period of time as well. And its cheap and uses local resources, the Worms!

What do I need to start a Vermiculture or Vermicomposting?

To start Vermicomposting first of all you need to understand about the Principles of Vermicomposting! Simply talking you need a box a large sized box and need to put some hay on in, then some layers of mud/soil then put all the organic waste materials, from the kitchen, into the box, for every 1000kg of such waste 3 kg of worms shall be inoculated. After that! Let the worms to the talking!

What kinds of Worms do I need?
Basically, Vermicompost, or vermiculture, most often uses two species of worms: Red Wigglers (Eisenia foetida) or Red Earthworms (Lumbricus rubellus), And Eudrilus eugeniae in context of our country! There are small sized worms about 20-4-mm in size, 3mm in diameter. They are Epigeic, that in common terms mean surface dwellers!

There are other Endogeic worm which work deeper in soil but they have not been used here so lets leave them for future! 

This is all for today, just to let you guys know about what Vermicomposting is ! More to come soon! 

2012/2013 Manchester United Squad Photo

The Manchester United squad (Back Row L-R:) Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Phil Jones, Bebe, Robin van Persie, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic, Federico Macheda. (Third Row L-R:) Sports Scientist Simon Wells, Head of Fitness Tony Strudwick, Shinji Kagawa, Angelo Henriquez, Danny Welbeck, Nick Powell, Darren Fletcher, Nani, Assistant Kit Manager Alec Wylie, Masseur 

Rod Thornley. (Second Row L-R:) Masseur Andy Caveney, Masseur Gary Armer, Kit Manager Albert Morgan, Doctor Steve McNally, Antonio Valencia, Anders Lindegaard, David de Gea, Sam Johnstone, Ashley Young, Alexander Buttner, Goalkeeping Coach Eric Steele, Physio Rob Swire, Physio Neil Hough. (Front Row L-R:) Rafael Da Silva, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Anderson, Assistant Manager Mike Phelan, Ryan Giggs, Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Paul Scholes, First Team Coach Rene Meulensteen, Tom Cleverley, Patrice Evra, Wayne Rooney pose at the annual club photocall at Old Trafford on August 31, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

Birds of Kathmandu valley

Birds of Kathmandu valley

• Great Barbet Megalaima virens Nepali Name : न्याउली 

Great Barbet Megalaima virens is one of the common birds of Kathmandu Valley. It inhibits forest, parklands, and even suburbs usually associated with fruting and oranamental trees between 900 to 2000m.

• Blue-Throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica Nepali name : कुर्थुके 

Blue-Throated Barbet Megalaima asiaticais found in open forests, secondary growth and gardens upto 2210m. It feeds on fruit and occasionally on insects.

• White Throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Nepali name : सेतोकण्ठे माटिकोरे 

Found in open areas associated with wetland below 1800m. Feeds on invertebrates, fish and frogs.

• Eurasian Cuckoo Cuculus canorus

It is a brood parasite, a summer migrant found mainly in open forest and gardens between 900-3800m. Feeds on caterpillars, insects, spiders and mollusks.

• Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus

They are very vocal during the breeding season with range of different calls. It is also a brood parasite and omnivorous. Found below 1800m in agricultural and cultivated lands.

• Rose-Rringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri

It is found in broadleaved forest, urban and cultivation below 1370m. Gregarious, feed on buds, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries and seed.

• Spotted Owlet Athene brama
• Rock Pigeon Columba livia
• Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis
• Black Kite Milvus migrans
• Long Tailed Shrike Lanius schach
• Eurasian Golden Oriole Orilus orilus
• Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
• Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
• Grey Headed Canary flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
• Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassina
• Orinetal Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
• Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata
• Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
• Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus
• Black-lored Tit Parus xanthogenys
• Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
• Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
• Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis
• Oriental while-eye Zosterops palpebrosus
• Common Tailor Bird Orthotomus sutorius
• Crimoson Sunbird Aethopyga siparaja
• House Sparrow Passer domesticus
• Eurasian Tree Sparrow Sparrow
• Baya Weaver Ploceys philippinus
• Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus

Snakes of Nepal

Out of about 3000 species of Snakes found all over the world.There are only about 79 indentified Snakes in Nepal, and only 19 of them are venomous. The most common and the most Venoums are :

The Common Cobra Naja Naja

The common cobra, Naja Naja is a very venomous snake belonging to family Elapidae. The name is short for cobra capo or capa Snake, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake". When disturbed or stressed they rear up and spread their hoods. Naja naja was first described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 1758. The generic and specific epithet name naja is a Latinisation of the Sanskrit word naga meaning "cobra". The spectacled Cobra is one of the most common snakes of South Asia and results in death of many people every year. The venom of Cobra is most Virulent. It is a neurotoxin, attacks the nerve centers and causing paralysis of muscles, mostly of respiratory muscles. Snake do not usually go around biting humans, but when cornered and threatened they attack, the venom is transmitted through Fangs, which are specialized teeth attached to maxillary bones. They serve as hypodermic needles for injecting venom. The fangs, when broken or lost are replaced by new sets of fangs. In Cobra, the fangs are Proteroglyphous at the front of maxillae and permanently erect. Each fang is grooved all along its anterior face. The Cobra venom effect was described by Late Prof, K.N. Bahl by the word COBRA as, Spinal Cord (CO) and Brain (BRA) is affected. Coagulation of Blood (COB) is reduced (R) so that wound bleeds for hours and death occurs by asphyxia (A). ASVS, Anti Snake Venom Serum are very expensive. Therefore, since, 1999 the Nepalese government has made ASVS free to Nepalese Snakebite victim. Lyophilizes polyvalent ASVS (effective against the venom of Cobra, Krait , Russells Viper) are used in Nepal to treat snake bite victims. 

The Russell's viper Daboia russelii 

Russell's Viper is widely distributed venomous species of Nepal. It is most common in Terai region and also found in hills upto 2000m. The body coloration is brown with keeled scales with white cross bars. There is a thermoreceptor of heat sensing pit between eyes and snout. This species of Viper is believed to cause more deaths in Terai region of Nepal than the Cobras because they are nocturnal and very hard to avoid. 

The common krait Bungarus caeruleus

It is one of the most familiar Krait found in Nepal.  It is a nocturnal species and is found living under cracked walls and heaps of stones. It is also known as "Blue Krait" due to its dark blue color on upper aspect of the body. It does not exceed over 2 m in length. It is generally found near termite mounds, rat holes and among piles of bricks or rubbish. It may be found in agricultural areas as well. It is found up to the altitude of 1400 m. The snake is extremely Venomous. 

The king Cobra Ophiophagus hannah (Rare and Venomous)

The King Cobra as the name suggest is on the top of food chain in snake world. The name Ophiophagus literally means Snake Eater (Ophio -Snake Phagus - To eat) . King Cobra is the largest venomous snake on Earth! It can reach the length of 18 feet and can erect 1/3 part of its body in mid air, that basically means the Snake can look in the eyes of full grown man and emit a scary bone chilling hiss like that of a growling dog. Though King Cobra venom are not considered as one of the most  venomous but the amount released from the King Cobra are twice the amount released from other snakes!  

So, Basically these are all the snakes that you must ignore (but not kill) just do not disturb them! And, regarding others, they are most rear fanged snakes and not venomous! You should not be worried about dying from Snake bites if its not one of them, and few others that I will write about later!

Now lets move on to the Common but non Venomous snakes of Nepal. Well the most common Snake of all has to be the Common Rat snake ( Ptyas Mucosus ) commonly locally known as Dhaman in Nepal. Generally it is found in low hills and mostly near human habitation. It has a thin head, which is distinct from the neck, large eyes long and slender tail. The rat snake is very active during the day time. They consume rats and small snakes. The rat snake to emits a sound similar to that of growling dog. 

Another well known non venomous species of Nepal is the Asiatic Rock Python  Python m. molurus. Commonly known as Ajingar in Nepal. Mostly carried around by Jogi's. But it is one of the Endangered species of Nepal and its trade is Illegal! 

The list of species of Snakes of Nepal are as follows! 

Sub Order                              Family                                Scientific Names 

SERPENTES	TYPHLOPIDAE	51.Ramphotyphlops braminus
		52.Typhlops diardii diardii
		53.Typhlops porrectus
	BOIDAE	54.Eryx conica conica
		55.Eryx johnii johnii
		56.Python molurus molurus
		57.Python molurus bivittatus
	COLUBRIDAE	58.Ahaetulla nasutus
		59.Amphiesma parallela
		60.Amphiesma platyceps
		61.Amphiesma stolata
		62.Argyrogena fasciolatus
		63.Atretium schistosum
		64.Boiga cyanea
		65.Boiga forsteni
		66.Boiga multifasciata
		67.Boiga nuchalis
		68.Boiga ochracea ochracea
		69.Boiga ochracea stoliczkae
		70.Boiga trigonatus
		71.Chrysopelea ornata ornata
		72.Trachischium leave
		73.Dendrelaphis tristis
		74.Elachistodon westermanni
		75.Elaphe cantoris
		76.Elaphe helena helena
		77.Elaphe hodgsonii
		78.Elaphe porphyracea porphyracea
		79.Elaphe radiata
		80.Enhydris enhydris
		81.Enhydris sieboldii
		82.Homalopsis buccata
		83.Liopeltis rappii
		84.Lycodon aulicus
		85.Lycodon jara
		86.Oligodon albocinctus
		87.Oligodon arnensis
		88.Oligodon erythrogaster
		89.Psammodynastes pulverulentus
		90.P. condanarus condanarus
		91.Pseudoxenodon macrops macrops
		92.Ptya mucosus mucosus
		93.Ptya nigromarginatus
		94.Rhabdophis himalayanus
		95.Rhabdophis subminiatus
		96.Sibynophis collaris
		97.Sibynophis sagittaria
		98.Spalerophis diadema atriceps
		99. Trachischium fuscum
		100.Tracchischium guentheri
		101.Tracchischium monticolum
		102.Tracchischium tenuiceps
		103.Xenochrophis cerasogaster
		104.X. flaavipunctatus schnurenbergerii
		105.Xenochrophis piscator
		106.Xenochrophis sanctijohannis
	ELAPIDAE	107. Bungarus bungaroides
		108. Bungarus caeruleus
		109. Bungarus fasciatus
		110. Bungarus lividus
		111. Bungarus niger
		112. Hemibungarus macclellandi univirgatus
		113. Naja kaouthia
		114. Naja naja
		115. Ophiophagus hanah
	VIPERIDAE	116. Agkistrodon himalayanus
		117. Daboia russelii russelii
		118. Ovophis monticola monticola
		119. Protobothrops jerdonii jerdonii
		120. Trimeresurus albolabris
		121. Trimeresurus erythrurus
		122. Trimeresurus gramineus
		123. Trimeresurus karanshahi
		124. Trimeresurus septentrionalis
		125. Trimeresurus stejnegeri stejnegeri
		126. Trimeresurus stejnegeri yunnanensis
		127. Trimeresurus tibetanus