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GS-III : Biodiversity & Environment Ecosystem

24 January, 2021
12 Min Read

Sunderbans

Sunderbans is home to 428 species of birds, says ZSI

The Indian Sunderbans, which is part of the largest mangrove forest in the world, is home to 428 species of birds, a recent publication of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) states.
The publication, Birds of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, released earlier this month by the ZSI, not only documents the avifauna of the Sunderbans, but also serves as a comprehensive photographic field guide, with detailed distribution and locality data for all the species from the region.
Authors of the publication said the book, with photographs of the males and females of various species, is aimed to kindle interest and spread knowledge about birds among people from all walks of life — from forest staff to tourists to amateur birdwatchers.
The Indian Sunderbans, which covers 4,200 sq. km, also includes the Sunderban Tiger Reserve of 2,585 sq. km — home to about 96 royal Bengal tigers (as per the last census in 2020). It is a world heritage site and a Ramsar site (a wetland site designated to be of international importance).
The scientists said of the 428 birds listed, some, like the masked finfoot and the Buffy fish owl, are recorded only from the Sunderbans.
The area is home to 9 out of 12 species of kingfishers found in the country as well rare species such as the Goliath heron and the spoon-billed sandpiper.
India has over 1,300 species of birds and if 428 species of birds are from the Sunderbans, it means that one in every three birds in the country is found in the unique ecosystem.
The publication not only highlights the ecological and conservation aspect of the Sunderbans but through a detailed description of bird species and localities where they are found we want to encourage birdwatching.
Pointing out that scientists and nature lovers are observing the 125th birth anniversary year of Salim Ali, the Birdman of India, the ZSI Director said birdwatching not only brings people closer to nature but also creates awareness and livelihood opportunities for the locals.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, West Bengal, Ravi Kant Sinha said the Sunderbans are the most diverse of natural landscapes and account for 60% of all mangrove forests in the country.
The mudflats exposed in the low tides, rich in microorganisms deposited during tidal activity, are ideal for feeding for migratory birds.
The mudflats and wetlands of the Sunderbans act as a stopover site for migratory flights south [southwards] and back.

Sundarbans

Sundarbans = 10000 square km 60% in Bangladesh. It covers ~ 43% of the Mangrove forests of India.
It is the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.
It is in the delta region of Padma, Meghna and Brahmaputra river basins.
West Bengal has 2 Wetlands now = East Kolkata Wetlands & Sundarbans (which has now become the largest Ramsar Site in India).
The Sundarbans was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
They are the only mangrove habitat which supports a significant population of Royal Bengal Tigers, and they have unique aquatic hunting skills.
It is home to critically endangered northern river terrapin (Batuga, Basaka), the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, and the endangered fishing cat. It also has Chital Deer, Crocodile & Snakes.
It met 4 out of 9 criteria of Ramsar: presence of rare species and threatened ecological communities, biological diversity, significant and representative fish and fish spawning ground and migration path.
The part of the Sundarban delta, which lies in Bangladesh, was accorded the status of a Ramsar site in 1992.

Source: TH

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