The Concept of celebrating World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) was initiated in 2006 AD. It is an annual awareness-raising campaign/event highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. This year it is celebrated in 11 May and 12 October, twice a year.
Last year (2018 AD) was an important transition year in the history of WMBD - unifying the planet’s major migratory bird corridors, or flyways: the African-Eurasian flyway, the East Asian-Australasian flyway, and the Americas flyways. With the onset of winter season migratory birds start arriving in Nepal to avoid freezing cold in the Northern hemisphere. Mid-September to late October is considered the peak migration time for such birds in Nepal. Most of the birds that migrate to Nepal belong to duck species like mallard, ruddy shelduck, and gadwall. Eurasian teal, green shank, thrushes, fly catcher, booted eagle are other migratory birds that come to Nepal during winter. Meanwhile, many summer migratory birds from as far as Sub-Saharan Africa, South-east Asia and South India come to Nepal in search of comparatively cooler areas.
The theme for WMBD 2019 is "Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!"
Every year people around the world take action and organize public events such as bird festivals, education programs, exhibitions and bird-watching excursions to celebrate WMBD. All these activities can also be undertaken at any time on the year because that countries or regions observing the peak of migrations at different times, but the main days for the international celebrations in 2019 are Saturday 11 May and Saturday 12 October. On World Migratory Bird Day, celebrated on 11 May, two UN wildlife treaties and conservationists around the world are calling for urgent action to stop plastic pollution by highlighting its negative effects on seabirds and other migratory birds.
Ingestion of plastic waste is more pervasive and can affect large proportions of some species. Birds mistake plastic as food causing them to starve to death as their stomachs fill up with un-digestible plastic. Of 265 bird species recorded entangled in plastic litter, at least 147 species were seabirds (36 per cent of all seabird species), 69 species freshwater birds (10 per cent) and 49 land-bird species (0.5 per cent).
Plastic is also being used as nest material. Many birds pick up plastic to line their nests mistaking it for leaves, twigs and other natural items, which can injure and trap fragile chicks. Discarded fishing gear is responsible for most entanglements among birds at sea, in rivers, lakes and even on land. Among them Seabirds are particularly more threatened by fishing gear. Many entangled seabirds are not detected because they die far from land out of sight of humans.
More than 300 m tons of Plastic is produced annually and has become one of the most widely used materials in the world. They are Lightweight and designed to last. Discarded pieces of plastic are easily transported to various ecosystems through the forces of nature like air, rainfall causing serious threats to migratory species all around the world. To make matters worse, plastic does not dissolve easily like any other material. It is broken down into small particles by water, sunlight and wind, and often leads to lethal cases of ingestion and entanglement.
The number of seabirds dying from the effects of plastic every year is increasing rapidly every year. According to recent statistics, currently more than 1 million birds die annually due to effect of Plastic. Existing research and data highlights the urgency of the matter: In just two decades, between 1960 and 1980, the number of birds found ingesting plastic has grown from 5% to 80%, which is quite alarming.
Studies show that local projects on the management of plastic waste produce results in a short period of time. Thus, common sense and awareness can help to curb the giant tide of plastic and plastic wastes. The international community needs to take urgent action to mitigate unnecessary injuries and mortality of migratory birds due to plastic pollution. World Migratory Bird Day 2019 was a unique chance to highlight negative effects of plastic on migratory birds. Let’s unite our voices to address this rapidly growing environmental concern!
What should be done to fight plastic pollution

• Reduce, Reuse and Recycle - Limit your use of plastic materials and replace them with eco-friendly alternatives, use and dispose of plastics sustainably

• Clean up - Join clean-up activities in your area, whether at beaches or along rivers

• Spread the word - Support local and global action against plastic

• Change our Habit- Stop throwing polybags, plastic bottles in river and sea. We should promote jute bags instead of plastic bags.