Ganges river dolphin abundance has undergone a predominant decline across its range since monitoring began. In Nepal, disappearance from some of the rivers it once used has already occurred. Today this species can only be found in three river systems in Nepal, the Karnali, Sapta Koshi, and Narayani, but numbers are low in these locations. To determine the abundance of dolphins remaining in the Karnali system (which includes the Karnali, Geruwa, and Mohana), and factors affecting dolphin habitat use, we conducted surveys where we recorded dolphin presence. Dolphins within this river system were sighted only in the Karnali and an abundance estimate of 5.04 AE 0.753 SE was calculated. This pattern of ranging differed from that previously reported (from previous sightings only in the Geruwa to current sightings only in the Karnali). River depth likely contributed to the presence or absence of dolphins. Shifts in available habitat between the Geruwa and Karnali have resulted from changes in the course of the main stream Karnali following construction of the Chisapani irrigation intake. Because of the low numbers of dolphins reported, there is great concern that loss of this species in Nepal is likely in the near future.

We assessed species diversity and relative abundance during February - March by employing transect method in four line transects and 30 point count stations, and associated threats by direct observations and consultation with people (n= 1) living in vicinity of Phewa wetland. We counted 2651 bird individuals of 148 species belonging to 104 Genera of 44 Families under 11 Orders. Anatidae and Passeriformes with 11% and 39%, respectively were the dominant family and order among the recorded species. Out of these, seven bird species were globally threatened and 12 were nationally threatened. Terrestrial birds had higher species diversity (H'= 3.27), species richness (R= 11.98) and species evenness (e= 0.74) as compared to wetland birds (H' = 3.07, R= 8.44 and e = 0.73). Common pigeon (7.50%) was the most abundant bird followed by lesser whistling duck (6.98%). People in the vicinity of Phewa wetland reported that water pollution caused by domestic sewages and waste water disposal was the major threat to birds and their habitat. Phewa wetland is providing crucial habitat to adequate residential and migratory bird species for which it should be protected for further enhancement of number of avian species.

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The study on nutritional value of locally preferred fodder trees in the farmland of middle hills of Nepal was conducted in Hemja VDC of Kaski district. Primary information on distribution and frequency of fodder trees was obtained through key informants survey, group discussion and observation of the study area. The preference ranking of ten most abundant fodder trees was done on the basis of palatability, propagation easiness, growth rate and competition with agricultural crops. The nutritional value of fodder species was analyzed and compared with the farmers' preference ranking to examine association among them. The analysis correspond farmers' preference of fodder tree species to their nutritional values. The study revealed that Ficus subinisa was the dominant fodder tree however, the Artocarpus lakoocha was highly preferred trees for its palatability and nourishing values. Nutritional analysis of ten preferred fodder species with respect to moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and carbohydrate was carried out. The crude protein varied from 15-29%, in which, A. lakoocha to contained the highest amount of crude protein. Similarly, F. lacor contained highest crude fiber (42.07%), and Machilus odoratissima yielded highest amount of carbohydrate (21.92%).

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