GANDAKI: A pictorial book on birds found along the Millennium Trekking Route, which connects Dulegaunda in Tanahun to Rambachha in Syangja, has been published.

The Pokhara Bird Society published this book in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board and the Millennium Trek Promotion and Management Committee.

The book is the result of an on-site study and research conducted by the President of Pokhara Bird Society, Manshanta Ghimire, and Secretary Hemanta Dhakal, over two years in four different phases to identify and collect data on birds in the area.

Ghimire said that the birds found along the Millennium Trekking Route are vividly presented along with their photos in the book. He mentioned that the bird ‘Kande Bhyakur’ (Spiny babbler), which is found only in Nepal, has been recorded in large numbers, and a total of three hundred species of birds have been documented in this trail area.

Fifty-two kilometres out of the 72 kilometres long trail connecting Dulegaunda in Tanahun to Rambachha in Syangja, is covered by forest. People of any age group can trek on this route in any season and one can view the snow-capped peaks of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and others from most parts of this trail. Anyone trekking along this trail is fascinated with the observation of forests, wildlife, and birds.

Harka Gurung, General Secretary of the Millennium Trek Management Committee, informed that the book has been published with the aim of promoting bird-watching tourism alongside the trek in this area.

He said this trail is believed to become an attractive destination for bird tourism and mentioned that the book provides tourists with a lot of information about the birds here.