2003-july-dec

From the Editor...Edited by

M. Zafar-ul Islam,

Projects Manager

Asad R. Rahmani,

Director, BNHS

J. C. Daniel,

Hon. Secretary, BNHS

Compiled, Layout and Designed by

M.Zafar-ul Islam

Layout: V. Gopi Naidu

Contributions should be sent to

Editors, Mistnet,

Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill

House, S. B. Singh Road, Mumbai-4000 23,

INDIA.

Tel: +91 22 2821811,

Fax: +91 22 22837615,

Email: [email protected]

BirdLife International is a global partnership

of conservation organisations, represented

in over 100 countries, working for the

diversity of all life through the conservation

of birds and their habitats.

BirdLife International Office:

Wellbrook Court, Girton Road,

Cambridge CB3 0NA, UK


Web: www.birdlife.net

This newsletter is supported by the RSPB,

the BirdLife Partner in the UK.

Website: www.rspb.org.uk

MISTNET Vol.4 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 20032

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

Bombay Natural History Society

(For private circulation only)

Cover photograph: Yellow-throated Bulbul

Pycnonotus xantholaemus by Clement Francis

n

Mission Statement

‘Conservation of nature, primarily biological

diversity through action based on research,

education and public awareness.’

BNHS is BirdLife International partner designate.

The pressure on natural resources in India

is increasing, as more than one billion

people depend on natural resources one

way or the other. Thirty-seven species of

birds have become extinct since 1900, in

the world. Now 78 out of the 1225 bird

species in India are on the red list of the

IUCN. With the limited time and

resources, setting priorities to safeguard threatened species is

very necessary.

Ornithologists believe that, there could be several factors,

such as habitat destruction, epidemics, hunting, trapping and

the occasional food shortage behind avian population decline,

but none of these are responsible for the drastic decline of the

Gyps species of vultures that the BNHS witnessed at Keoladeo

National Park, and elsewhere in India. Vultures are important

natural biological agents for scavenging meat wastes,

slaughterhouse offal and unattended animal carcasses. People

also have reported unattended cattle carcasses due to absence

of vultures in other Asian countries, such as Cambodia, Laos,

Vietnam and Thailand.

Experts from Ornithological Society of Pakistan (BirdLife

in Pakistan), RSPB, The Peregrine Fund, Zoological Society of

London and BNHS agreed “diclofenac (a non-steroidal anti-

inflammatory drug) could be a major cause of the observed

vulture decline. It is yet to know whether other factors involved

the Gyps populations decline. Scientists believe that recovery

from the declines will be possible only if exposure of wild vultures

to diclofenac is prevented. The most important conservation

priority is to ban the diclofenac for veterinary medicine, throughout

the range of Gyps species of vultures by the governments and

pharmaceutical industry”.

We can save common and threatened birds by protecting

their habitats, totally stopping illegal hunting and trapping.

Unfortunately, we use poisonous chemicals like pesticides to kill

crop pests, which also kill many birds who eat them. New

researches are showing that these pesticides have a bad impact

on many bird species if proper precautions are not taken while

using pesticides. Not only birds, these pesticides are also harmful

to humans. Our Government bans many dangerous pesticides,

which still sold illegally in the markets.

I believe if all the IBCN members with government officials

act now to preserve the critical habitats (IBAs) of common and

threatened birds, it might be a step towards the long-term

conservation movement in India.

Wishing a happy and prosperous new year.

ZAFAR-UL ISLAM

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES FOR IBAS

IN THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR

ISLANDS

by Tara Gandhi

4

16

BIRD CONSERVATION

ISSUES IN

NORTHERN INDIA

by Bill Harvey

6

C O N T E N T S

9

SAVING THE FOREST OWLET

by Girish Jathar

BIRDS OF PANNA TIGER RESERVE

by Koustubh Sharma

11

YELLOW-THROATED BULBUL STATUS

by Clement and Raj

12

PEKKE A HORNBILL HAVEN IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

by Aprajitta Dutta

VULTURE CRISIS IN PAKISTAN

by Aleem Ahmed and his team

13

RESEARCH TO CONSERVATION...

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES FOR

IBAs IN THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

The fact that two Endemic Bird Areas (EBAs) of the world

and 21 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been identified

in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (ANI) reflects the wealth

of the avifauna of this Indian Union Territory . 270 bird

species and subspecies have been recorded in the ANI of

which 126 are exclusive to Andamans and 56 to the Nicobars.

Located in the Bay of Bengal, their geographic

positions near Myanmar and Sumatra than to the Indian

mainland, gives the islands many unique biodiversity

features. Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan influences on

the vegetation, compounded by the isolation of the island

chain has resulted in a remarkable bird diversity and a large

number of endemic and restricted range species.18 of the

IBAs are located in the Andaman group of islands, covering

representative areas and the rest are in the Nicobar group,

south of the ten degree channel. The thickly forested islands

bordered by lush mangroves and coral-rich lagoons are

often referred to as ‘Paradise islands ‘ with ‘pristine nature’.

However in reality they are beset with numerous

environmental problems, threatening the varied terrestrial

and marine ecosystems. While natural calamities can result

in severe damage, most of the current threats are

anthropogenic.

It must be noted that the indigenous inhabitants of

the ANI, the aboriginal tribals who once occupied large

tracts of the land, did not interfere with the natural

ecological processes despite being forest-dwellers. It is

the relatively recent influx of settlers from the mainland,

their population increase, economic activities and

unplanned development that have caused serious habitat

modification. In many cases, there have been irreversible

changes particularly in the forest areas. All these factors

have implications for the protection of the IBAs and their

avifauna, and much could be achieved by preventing

disturbance and degradation of the IBA sites. However,

this not a simple task to implement since several complex

issues need to be addressed.

The main threats to the IBAs may be broadly

catagorised as expansion of urban and rural habitations,

agriculture and plantation activities, forest exploitation,

infrastructure for commercial activities and tourism (new

airport, shipping ports, hotels, roads, vehicles), introduced

exotics and feral animals, and poaching. To minimise the

impacts of these activities, it would require a

multidisciplinary approach and cross-sectoral coordation

of various govermental agencies.

PIC

S: Z

AF

AR

-UL IS

LA

M

MISTNET Vol. 4 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 20034

IBAs in the Andamans

Islands in the Andaman group are of varying sizes

with many small uninhabited islets. The larger islands tend

to have mountainous terrain and are characterised by

mosaic of forest types with deciduous and evergreen forests

including giant evergreen forests and mangroves. While

some of the smaller islands (such as the IBA Narcondam

Island which is the only habitat of the Narcondam Hornbill

Aceros narcondami) do support important bird species,

the larger islands tend to possess richer bird diversity,

therefore larger reserves are needed on these islands.

The Andaman Teal Anas albogularis is a flagship

species occurring in freshwater wetlands inside secluded

forested areas in several of the IBAs. As there are very few

rivers and virtually no lakes in the Andamans, these small

waterbodies are under threat of exploitation by local

inhabitants. Andaman Serpent Eagle Spilornis elgini,

Andaman Crake Rallina fasciata, Andaman Wood Pigeon

Columba palumboides, Andaman Cuckoo-dove

Macropygia rufipennis, Andaman Hawk-owl Ninox affinis,

Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei, Andaman

Drongo Dicrurus andamanensis, Andaman Treepie

Dendrocitta bayleyi and White-headed Starling Sturnus

erythropygius are among the other important species that

are found in most of the IBAs with good forest cover.

Nesting areas of the Edible-nest Swiftlets Collocalia

fuciphaga are dotted along the coast in several islands

including Interview and Rani Jhansi Marine National Park

(both IBAs)., and exploited for the high commercial value

of their saliva-nests. Despite the dangerous location of the

nesting caves which demands considerable skill and bravery

on the part of the nest collectors, the swiftlet population

has declined to such an extent that special ex-situ

conservation measures have been initiated.

Interview Island, an uninhabited IBA faces the unique

problem of feral elephants abandoned after logging

operations were closed down. They are causing considerable

damage by debarking forest trees and destroying

undergrowth. Another introduced animal, the spotted deer

Axis axis has proliferated unchecked in many parts of the

Andamans, since there are no terrestrial predators. They

are found in several of the IBAs such as Mahatma Gandhi

Marine National park, Jarawa Reserve, Mt. Diavolo and Mt.

Harriet. They overgraze the vegetation and prevent forest

regeneration by browsing young saplings. Similarly,

domestic cattle (some of which have become feral) that are

allowed to graze inside forestland are also destructive.

Serious problems are encountered in Saddle Peak,

Mt Harriet, Cuthbert Bay and other IBAs on account of

encroachment for living space as well as for agriculture,

illegal tree felling, poaching, collecting forest produce by

settlers living around the sites who have easy access.

Plantations of coconut, arecanut and other commercial trees

have also depleted the natural forest.

North Sentinel Island and the Jarawa Reserve need

special attention since they are the homeland of indigenous

hunter-gatherer tribal people. The lifestyle and traditional

knowledge of these ‘ecosystem-people’ has allowed the

biodiversity of their surroundings to flourish. The

Sentinelese have till now aggressively repulsed outsiders

from landing on their isolated island, whereas of late, the

Jarawas have become ‘friendly’. Development activities

during the past few decades have considerably shrunk the

Jarawa reserve with a busy road cutting through it and

constant pressure from expanding adjoining settlements.

Enabling them to retain their forestland in the face of such

pressure is essential, and beneficial to this IBA.

A sad example of tribals losing their identity and their

rightful lands is seen in Little Andamans, another IBA, where

large tracts of natural forest have been replaced by oil palm

plantations. This has also resulted in fragmentation and

reduction of the habitats of several species of threatened

bird species found on the island.

Tourism, which is more, concentrated around the Port

Blair vicinity including Mahatma Gandhi Marine National

Park and Mt. Harriet, is now being promoted in other parts

of the islands. Though tourists are fairly well regulated, the

increased infrastructure, transportation and supplies they

require cause disturbance and pollution.

IBAs in the Nicobars

Hill forests and littoral forests with gigantic trees, tall

tree ferns and multi-layered vegetation characterise the

islands, which along with mangrove forests are the habitat

for several endemic and threatened bird species. As in the

Andamans, the indiginous tribal communities the forest

dwelling Shompens in Great Nicobar and the coastal

Nicobarese in all the inhabited islands have been responsible

for conservation of the ecosystems. However their

marginalistion (Shompens), change of lifestyle of the

Nicobarese and colonisation of the islands by mainlanders

are threatening the bird habitat.

The flagship species of the Nicobars is the Nicobar

Megapode Megapodius nicobariensis, which is endemic

to Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar and other islands such as

Camorta, Nancowry, Trinkat, Katchall and Tillangchong, all

of which have been included in the IBA network along with

Car Nicobar which is the northernmost island of the group.

Nicobar Serpent-eagle Spilornis minimus, Nicobar

Sparrowhawk Accipiter butleri, Nicobar Parakeet

Psittacula caniceps, White-headed Starling Sturnus

erythropygius and Andaman Hawk-Owl Ninox affinis are

among the other prominent listed species of the Nicobars.

Though the largest island, Great Nicobar (which has

the distinction of being the southernmost point of India)

has been declared as a Biosphere Reserve and more than

half of the land area is under PA cover, many large forest

clearances have taken place for settlers’ habitations as well

as for plantations. Clearings along the coastal belt pose a

RESEARCH TO CONSERVATION...

(Continued on page 18...)

MISTNET Vol. 4 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2003 5

RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION...

The worldwide Important Bird Area (IBA) programme is

now at the forefront of bird conservation. It is gathering

vital information on the status and distribution of endemic

and rare birds. The IBA Programme is also identifying the

wider status of bird species, and in some instances finding

sites, that deserves protection. In most countries, the IBAs

will be relatively small areas either because they are pockets

of natural or near to natural environment or because the

important bird species have a very restricted range. In the

sub-continent, this is particularly so, with many IBAs related

to very restricted, often endemic, species in places such as

the Western Ghats, the offshore island groups and Sri Lanka.

But of course there are other species whose status

gives cause for concern that have much wider ranges. Sarus

Cranes Grus antigone, Black-necked Storks

Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus and Painted Storks Mycteria

leucocephala occur widely and often away from protected

areas and they all utilise agricultural land. Further there are

globally threatened migrants that may winter in very specific

places but pass through others en route. The best-known

case is the tiny remnant central population of Siberian Cranes

that until 2002 wintered only in Keoladeo National Park,

Bharatpur. But they had to pass through large swathes of

Central Asia, including, what was for long periods, war-torn

Afghanistan, where many of the human population were

partial to a bit of crane meat. It is likely that the population

dwindled so fast because of hunting pressure during their

migration. In 2001/2 there were only two left. They were

seen in Afghanistan in the autumn of 2002 but never seen in

India. Whether they arrived and, like so many other wetland

migrants moved on because Bharatpur was dry in 2002-

2003 winter, we just do not know. They were never found

anywhere else.

This story illustrates one point I want to make. How

do we provide secure staging points for migrants and

alternative sites to the currently protected areas? In the

USA, where there is less pressure on land, a string of

protected areas was created for migrants and this

contributed significantly to the reversal in the decline of

the endangered Whooping Crane Grus americana. Even if

this were feasible, the law and order situation in many areas

would probably mean that the protection would not be

SOME BIRD CONSERVATION ISSUES

IN NORTHERN INDIA

PIC

S: A

SA

D R

. R

AH

MA

NI



enforced. In India, while it is still possible for further

protected areas to be created, there will always be important

areas that cannot be protected. At present, the answer seems

to be educating the human population about the importance

of sharing their land with birds. It is also important that

local networks of birders are created and encouraged so

that sites and their bird populations can be regularly

monitored. There are not enough professional ornithologists

to do this work and in any case experience in Europe and

America has shown how much valuable data can be gathered

if amateurs are properly encouraged and co-ordinated.

Hitherto, most of the bird data in India has been

gathered either through specific surveys or by periodic

counts such as the Asian Wetland Counts. The latter is

only done once a year in mid-winter and although better

than nothing, it does mean that it cannot assess passage or

breeding populations and therefore the year-round

importance of the sites. This is particularly true about sites

in Northern India as many birds move through en route to

and from wintering quarters further south. If the monsoon

has been good, as in 2003, then for wetland migrants a huge

area of suitable habitat is available in the autumn. Another

feature of the intensely farmed environment of the north

Indian plains is the occurrence of small pockets of wetland

habitat, and indeed groves and individual trees. These

pockets can be critical for breeding and wintering birds.

Many species make use of the crops themselves for feeding

and roosting. Mustard fields in flower are a haven for migrant

warblers and hirundines and wagtails will roost in tall crops.

It also has to be remembered that the characteristic wetland

of Northern India is the jheel. These are naturally seasonal

and temporary and may not be appropriate for normal

management as protected areas since they are often farmed

when they are dry.

One of most famous, the Sultanpur National Park

within an hour drive of Delhi, can no longer function as a

jheel as the flow of water from surrounding areas has been

interrupted by the building of so-called farm houses and

the creation of a raised path within the Sanctuary itself.

Fortunately, active management by the Forest Department

now ensures the flow of canal water into the wetland when

necessary. And now a small area near the main water bird

breeding colony has been deepened to ensure a continuous

supply of fish. Purists might argue that this human

intervention is inappropriate but it was human activity that

changed the nature of the jheel in the first

place. With a growing population, it is going

to be necessary to compromise if the needs of

birds and people are going to be met. Another

issue is the grazing of protected wetlands and

the cutting of grass for fodder. Personally I

believe this is often beneficial (as long as it is

not overdone) as it keeps the sward low and

much more suitable for feeding ducks, geese

and waders. Similarly people often express

concern at the, albeit illegal, burning of the

huge typha beds along the Yamuna River north

of Okhla barrage. In my view, as long as it

takes place outside the breeding season, this

is also beneficial as it prevents clogging by

dead reeds and opens the beds up to allow

fresh growth. It also, incidentally, creates ideal

habitat for nesting Black Bittern Dupetor

flavicollis, Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus

cinnamomeus and Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus

sinensis and the scarce White-tailed

Stonechat Saxicola leucura.

Let me present the example of the Basai Wetlands

(IBA). Basai is on the Gurgaon-Faruknagar road about 8

kms east of Sultanpur and actually within the jurisdiction of

the Sultanpur National Park. It was created, apparently ten

years ago, by water and sewage effluent breeching the walls

of the outflow channel from Gurgaon Water and Sewage

Treatment Works. The result was a large area of water

hyacinth, typha reed beds and flooded fields, some of which

had a good growth of Pasapalum grass. Obviously this meant

a lot of agricultural land could not be cropped but the water

did provide much needed irrigation during drought years

and the grass and water hyacinth is cut for fodder. The area

did not really hit the headlines until February 2001 and since

then has amassed a bird list of 241 species and is visited

regularly by members of Delhibird. Indeed since February

2001 almost monthly records have been kept so we now

know the significance of the site throughout the year. It is

particularly important as a staging post for up to 20,000

ducks and waders in spring and autumn (something that

cannot at present be reflected in the mid-winter water bird

census). It has a good wintering population of ducks and

waders and most notably up to 1,200 Bar-headed Geese

Excessive fishing (using mosquito net) in north Indian wetlands is regular and intensive

PIC

S: Z

AF

AR

-UL IS

LA

M


Anser indicus that feed on the Pasapalum. Among the

globally threatened species, up to 8 Greater Spotted Eagles

Aquila clanga, 3 Imperial Eagles Aquila heliaca, Lesser

Kestrel Falco naumanni and single pair of Sarus Crane

Grus antigone and Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus

asiaticus have been recorded. Even the very restricted Sind

Sparrow Passer pyrrhonotus, which is currently spreading

south through Haryana, was recorded in September 2003.

Basai wetland also has records of a number of species

that are very scarce in north India. This includes good

wintering populations of Baillon’s Crake Porzana pusilla

and Moustached Warblers Acrocephalus melanopogon,

wintering Great Bitterns Botaurus stellaris and Water Rails

Rallus aquaticus, breeding Black Bittern Dupetor flavicollis

and Watercock Gallicrex cinerea and passage records of

Merlin Falco columbarius, Grey-headed Lapwing Vanellus

cinereus, Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus,

Asiatic Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus and Greater

Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii (the latter three all

first records for Haryana). Not surprisingly, this site now

has IBA status.

The Forest Department staff now keeps a regular eye

on Basai and after a bout of shooting had warning notices

posted all around it threatening a fine of Rs 25000 if anyone

shoots there. At least two poachers have been apprehended.

The Delhi Bird Group, (a partner of IBCN) in collaboration

with BNHS, hold annual ringing camps there in September.

One of the purposes is to introduce local villagers and school

children to the birds at close quarters and tell them about

migration. This year over 300 attended over 5 days and the

event was shown on national television.

Unfortunately, changes are afoot. The Water

Company has diverted the outflow and begun repairing the

canal to stop the seepage. Thanks to the good monsoon,

there are plenty of flooded fields for the passage waders

and a good growth of grass for the geese. But the water

hyacinth has mostly dried up already and much of the typha

has been cut. It seems highly likely that the farmers will

reclaim what they can for cropping and much of its former

glory will be lost. But Delhibird will continue to monitor the

site in case water does remain and it is possible the

Pasapalum fields will be left for fodder, which means the

Bar-headed Geese, might still feed there. A new reservoir

close by would provide safe roosting for them. The question

is, should something have been done? Well short of buying

up the land and maintaining it as a wetland artificially, I do

not think so. The farmers have a right to their farmland and

the site was an artificial one anyway. It seems highly likely

that similar adventitious sites exist or will appear along many

of our canals. The question is, can we find them? It is

interesting that another important area along the canals and

channels near Sonepat has a series of linear marshes created

by seepage. Part of it is also registered as an IBA.

Another IBA site created artificially is the Yamuna

River in Delhi. The river has been an important area for

migrating, breeding and wintering birds for millennia. The

building of the Okhla Barrage however has created an

artificial lake behind and extensive typha reed beds that

host most of the characteristic birds of the Gangetic Plains

wetlands. Over a couple of years in the 1990s, even the

enigmatic Bristled Grassbird bred there. It is important for

wintering duck with flocks of up to 20,000 and the gull flocks

can top 10,000. Its Greater Flamingo flock often exceeds

1000 and can be seen in most weeks of the year. In summer

when water levels are low, large mud banks are exposed and

utilised by two species of pratincole for nesting. The problem

there is the inevitable opening and closing of the barrage

and the one upstream at Wazirabad, which results in

dramatic changes in the water levels. This can lead to

flooding of nests or non-flying young, the disappearance

of water for the wintering ducks and too much depth for

flamingos and waders. Delhibird monitor the site regularly

(indeed their Sunday birding walks are usually there) and

again there are detailed records and counts for all months

of the year.

Bill Harvey is associated with Delhibird which is the shorthand

for the Northern India Bird Network (IBCN partner), a loose

association of birders and bird groups held together by an

e-mail group and a web-site (www.Delhibird.org ).


From L-R Steve Parr, Asad Rahmani, Bill Harvey, Zafar-ul Islam,

Nikhil Devasar, Bikram Grewal and Cristi Nozowa at

Basai Wetland in Haryana

AWC 2004

The IBA-IBCN has been funding this programme since

last three years. For 2004, the form will be circulated soon.

We hope you to participate in the Count for 2004 which

will be held in January and February 2004. Wish you

happy birding during the AWC count in upcoming AWC

festival. The electronic form of AWC can be obtained from

IBCN office at BNHS or email us at <[email protected]>

or download the form from www.bnhs.org/awc.pdf.



The rediscovery of the Forest Owlet (Heteroglaux

blewitti) after 113 years has given us an unexpected

opportunity to save this species. The Bombay Natural

History Society has undertaken a long-term study on Forest

Owlet in Toranmal reserve forest, since October 2001. Now

we have generated baseline information on the ecology of

this rare and elusive bird.

Toranmal Reserve Forest is a strong hold of this

species with highest known density of Forest Owlet in the

area. It has a wide range of habitats such as open and

dense forests, grasslands, riparian forests, and most

SAVING THE MYSTERIOUS FOREST OWLET

importantly unpolluted wetlands. The altitudinal variation

is from 350-1200m. We have recorded 233 species of the

birds. It is one of the Important Bird Areas in India because

it meets the criterion of having a globally threatened species.

Along with Forest Owlet vulnerable species such as Greater

Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga and Imperial Eagle Aquila

heliaca were also recorded.

The Forest Owlet is one of the globally threatened

(critically endangered) endemic birds and comes under

Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.

Survival of the species?

We have observed a drastic decline in the population

of Forest Owlet in 2002. We observed 14 individuals in the

Toranmal Reserve Forest in 2001. But in 2002-2003 we

observed only eight birds. The exact cause of decline in the

number of birds is not known. Severe fragmentation of its

habitat, encroachments, lack of suitable nesting trees,

growing human interference could be the causes of decline

in population.

Natural causes like predation of the young owlets is a

grave problem. The fledglings were seen vulnerable till they

are 40-45 days old. If parent birds fail to protect them they

are easy victims of the predators. Population of predator

birds like White- eyed Buzzard Butastur teesa, Crested

Serpent eagle Spilornis cheela, Shikra Accipiter badius and

Tawny Eagle Aquila vindhiana is considerably high in this

area. Some times Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis and

Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda were also seen

pursuing the fledglings. Behaviour of Forest Owlet itself is

a matter of concern. We have recorded unusual things like

ovicide and infanticide that makes this species more

vulnerable.

There are very few suitable nesting trees available in

Forest Owlet habitat. We have seen species like Roseringed

Parakeet Psitaculla krameri, Indian Roller Coracious

benghalensis and Common Myna Acridotherus tristis

compete with Forest Owlet for suitable nest holes. Some

times forcing the Forest Owlet to abandon the nest. Dearth

of nesting trees eventually affects the breeding success of

the owlets.

Threats to the site

l Anthropogenic pressure – Tribal of this area have many

misconceptions about owls they use various body parts

Forest Owlet Heteroglaux blewitti at Toranmal Reserve Forest (IBA site)


RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION ...

of owl and even eggs for their ritual

customs. Which take heavy toll of

owls in this area. Owls are also

considered as bad omen so whenever

tribal see them they chase them off

or try to kill them.

l Elicit woodcutting - Teak mainly

dominates the habitat of Forest owlet.

Rampant cutting of teak is the major

threat to the habitat. Forest

department virtually have no control

over it.

l Encroachments– Encroachments by

tribal for agricultural practices is a

major problem in Toranmal reserve

forest. Due to encroachments,

habitat of Forest Owlet is severely

fragmented. Day by day these

encroachments are engulfing suitable

habitats. Fringes of all Forest Owlets

areas are having large chunks of

encroachments.

There is need of people’s participation in protecting

Forest Owlets habitat. A conservation awareness program

can motivate local peoples to conserve the species. Schemes

like community management or joint forest management can

only help in long-term survival of this species.

Pesticides and Rodenticides a new threat...

While studying socio-economic impact we came to

know that tribal use pesticides since last 7-8 years. They

use BHC, Endosulfon, Dimethioate and Endrin to protect

their crops of cotton and lentil. Another serious threat is

use of rodenticide. Rodents and insects are the major food

items of the Forest Owlet. These pesticides and rodenticide

can enter in the food chain of the Forest Owlet and this can

be detrimental to the future survival of the species.

Text and Photographs by

Girish Jathar who is

BNHS Research fellow, working on

Forest Owlet for his Ph.D. thesis

Tribals in Toranmal use various parts of the owl and even eggs for their ritual customs

l Intentional forest fires – In May 2003, five hectares of

forest near Forest Owlet area was intentionally burned

down by local tribal.

l Grazing pressure - Around 500 cattle are graze near one

Forest Owlet study area. Uncontrolled grazing of these

cattle in this area nearly destroys whole microhabitat,

which directly affects the prey species of the Forest

owlet.

Working plan for this forest is hitherto not prepared

which ultimately serves to poor management of forest.

Considering all these problems, conservation of this species

requires urgent attention from the forest authorities.

Positive steps towards conservation

Bombay Natural History Society has taken some

positive steps in the conservation of this species in Toranmal

Reserve Forest, such as awareness programs for local tribal,

nest site protection and training sessions for guards of

forest department. Some of these programs are in initial

stage.

I would like to specially mention about our grand

success in protecting the nesting site of the Forest Owlet.

In 2002 one of the nesting trees of the Forest Owlet was

burned down by tribal. The pair of the Forest Owlet was

unable to breed due to non availability of the nesting tree.

Keeping this thing in mind, we promoted the idea of

protection of the nest. We selected one site facing severe

anthropogenic pressure and kept constant vigilance

throughout the breeding season and succeeded in protecting

the nest. One fledgling survived and we were able to keep

track of that fledgling till 48 days.

Our next plan is to protect all nesting sites in the

Toranmal Reserve Forest and enhance the breeding success

of the Forest Owlet.


RESEARCH AND ADVOCACY...

Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state of India

after Rajasthan. Blessed with forest cover on more

than 25% of its geographic area, the state has in all eight

national parks and 25 wildlife sanctuaries. Among these,

there is one biosphere reserve, Pachmarhi. and five Tiger

reserves, viz. Panna, Pench, Kanha, Bori-Satpura and

Bandhavgarh.

Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), the western frontier of

natural teak (Tectona grandis) and the eastern for the teak-

kardhai (Anogeissus pendula) mixed forests; it is a haven

for a large number of species of birds. On a road that is to

anybody’s disbelief, smoother and less ornamented with

the infamous Madhya Pradesh potholes, Panna Tiger

Reserve (PTR) is just 30 minutes away from the famous

world heritage site “Khajuraho”. Its headquarters being in

Panna district, the Reserve spreads into 543 sq. km and is

shared by two districts, viz. Chhatarpur and Panna. Panna

Tiger Reserve is blessed by one the cleanest rivers of India,

Ken, which is the lifeline of this beautifully landscaped

park. The dynamic dry deciduous forest undergoes dramatic

BIRDS OF PANNA TIGER RESERVE (IBA SITE)

Vulture can easily be seen around the vertical steep cliffs

spread through the Park. The White-backed Gyps

benghalense, Red-headed Sarcogyps calvus and Egyptian

Neophron percnopterus vultures constitute the avian

scavenger family of Panna National Park.

A modest number of more than 10 species of raptors

inhabits Panna Tiger Reserve. Interestingly the Changeable

Hawk Eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus, not often seen too far

from its favourite trees or waterholes has two subspecies

lineatus and cirrhatus found in different areas of the Park.

Similarly, the Eurasian Eagle Owl Bubo bubo occurs in its

subspecies hemachelana in some ranges, while as

bengalensis in others. A rare sighting of a Brown Hawk

Owl Ninox scutulata is also in the cards if one traverses

through the open savannahs of the Hinauta Plateau during

dusk.

Migration seems to bring about prominent variation

to Panna’s birdlife. The onset of winter witnesses gradual

influx of hundreds of waterbirds. By mid winters, the Black

Stork Ciconia nigra and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos

javanicus begin soaring on the skies around the waterholes.

The Reserve has a few artificial man-made tanks that harbor

these waterbirds during winters. Unfortunately, the water

in most of these tanks dries by the end of winters by March

and as a result of which not many trans-migratory species

are often seen. The Ken being a perennial flowing river

though, houses plenty of other waterbirds, whose species

composition and numbers vary seasonally. Waders do not

aggregate in abundance anywhere, probably due to lack of

their favourite mud flats and shallow banks of waterbodies.

Other winter visitors include the Red-headed Bunting

Emberiza bruniceps and Grey-necked Bunting Emberiza

buchanani that do not show up during other seasons.

The monsoon brings about probably the most

dramatic changes in the forest of Panna. From dull brown

smoldering ambiance to a fragrant soothing one, life takes

a U-turn at this point of the year. There are plenty of

feathered bipeds that announce the onset of the season.

Among the common ones of these, the loud calling Painted

Francolinus pictus and Grey Francolinus pondicerianus

francolins are probably the most audible after the Peafowl

Pavo cristatus. The migrant Chestnut-tailed Starling

Sturnus malabaricus, which is seen in the Park only during

the rains, is one species whose stay seems to be extremely

short-lived. Bank Mynas are audacious and invasive in

nature everywhere outside the Park, always giving a hint

that this bird indicates a certain habitat characteristic.

As mentioned earlier, PTR is rich in terms of cliffs and

slopes as a consequence of the bench topography of the

three major plateaus and gorges clinging the Ken River.

These slopes and the lower plateaus have patches of dense

change from lush green in monsoon to desolate dry grey in

summer and from near zero degrees centigrade in winter to

as hot as forty-seven in the summer. PTR has the classical

bench topography and can be classified into three major

plateaus, the Talgaon plateau, the middle Hinauta plateau

and the lower Madla plateau.

Not only in terms of terrestrial fauna but also in those

of avifauna, the Reserve is rich by all standards. Till date

more than 200 species of birds have been identified which

include migratory, local migratory and resident species. From

the flairing ribbon of a Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone

paradisi to the elegant flight of a Long-billed Vulture Gyps

indicus, the Park gives an opportunity to enjoy them all.

Although substantially depleted, the Panna Tiger

Reserve still has a good number of the now Critically

Endangered vultures. Cliff nesting colonies of Long-billed(continued on page 22...)


CONSERVATION...

Yellow-throated Bulbul is endemic to the southern

peninsular India, dominates the Eastern Ghats, with

few records in the Western Ghats as well.

The preferred habitat of the Yellow-throated Bulbul

Pycnonotus xantholaemus comprises of thorny scrub and

trees growing among broken hillocks. The presences of

Lantana bushes and the Erythroxylon monogynum plants

on whose fruits they prey, support the birds in good

numbers.

The boulders on these hills have cracks and small

depressions which when filled with rain water are regularly

visited by these birds for bathing and drinking. They love

to perch on these boulders shaded by the trees growing

through the crakes in the boulders.

The Yellow-throated Bulbuls clearly out numbers their

cousins (Red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus, Red-

vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer and White-browed bulbul

Pycnonotus luteolus) in their habitat. The short trees, the

bushes and the rocks support their perching styles and

also give them protections from hard weather conditions

and predators. The Ficus, the Flame-of-the-Forest Butea

monosperna trees provide them with fruits and nectar. The

abundant insects rich habitat keeps them the good supply

of insects. Fights do not normally emerge between the

bulbuls, except during feeding times on a ficus fruiting tree

or on a lantana bush when some squabbles are observed.

One of our unusual observations at Siddarabetta

(Tumkur district of Karnataka), a pair of Yellow-throated

Bulbuls were seen feeding on a ripe banana which was

abandoned by the Bonnet Macaques on a medium sized

tree. This was during the festival season, when the visitors

feed the Bonnet Macaques with coconut and banana as

part of the religious ritual.

YELLOW-THROATED BULBUL STATUS AND

DISTRIBUTION

They seldom leave their territory (boulder studded

hill) but the ficus fruiting in neighboring villages attract

these birds and they congregate in small numbers to feed

on the fruits. We have observed this in Channapatna,

Karnataka (Yoga-Narasimhaswamy Betta) and in

Siddarabetta.

Before mating, the courtship displays include the male

fluffing its feathers, circling the female with a wide open

beak, rubbing of his crown on the female’s chin and wooing.

Once pairing happens, they choose a nesting site and

become highly territorial and chase away birds of their size

like Indian robins and warblers from the nesting vicinity.

Places where the Yellow-throated Bulbuls can be

birdwatched by the professional birder and the amateur

bird lover.

In Karnataka the following places are the best to see

this wonderful bird, Siddarabetta, Devarayanadurga and

Channarayanadurga all in Tumkur district, Karnataka.

Also the Yoganarasimhaswamy Betta in Channapatna

(Mysore Road).

Nandi hills which is 60Kms to the north of Bangalore

hosts good numbers of these birds. Being a tourist

destination, birders can take a walk around in the early

mornings to view and listen to the Yellow-throated bulbul.

Most of the boulder-studded hills in Nelamangala,

outskirts of Bangalore on the way to Tumkur, host these

brids. This is part of the Eastern Ghats chain.

Bodimettu in Tamil Nadu / Kerala border, which is

situated on the highway from Theni in Tamil Nadu to Munnar

in Kerala has good numbers of these birds.

(...continued on page 20)



T he White-backed Vulture (WBV) Gyps

bengalensis was once one of the most common raptors

in the Indian subcontinent. A population decline of >90%,

starting in the 1990’s, was first noted at Keoladeo National

Park, India. Since then, catastrophic declines have continued

to be reported across the subcontinent, also involving two

other species G. indicus and G. tenuirostris. Because of the

dramatic and sudden declines of their populations in India,

Pakistan and Nepal, these vultures are now listed as critically

endangered by BirdLife International.

In magnitude, this continent-wide declines parallel

the massive die-offs of raptors in North America and Europe

in the 1950’s and 1960’s resulting from the widespread use

of organochlorine pesticides.

Despite anecdotal reports of large numbers of dead

vultures, in 2000 we found substantial WBV populations

nesting in high densities in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

At that time, Ornithological Society of Pakistan with TPF

initiated the Pakistan Vulture Crisis Project and established

study sites at three large WBV nesting colonies and 13

peripheral colonies to measure breeding success and mortality

at over 2,400 active nest sites. In the 2000-2001 breeding season

(October to April), we documented annual mortality of 11.4%

and 18.6% in the adult breeding birds. Based on studies in

other large raptors with life history traits similar to those of

WBV this level of adult mortality was expected to result in a

rapid population decline. During the subsequent 2001-2002

and 2002-2003 breeding seasons, we found that annual adult

mortality remained high, ranging from 5.4% to 72.2% at the

different colonies, and we measured population declines of

34-95% relative to the 2000-2001 breeding season at the three

main study sites.

Mortality due to acute renal failure

To determine the causes of mortality, we collected

dead and dying vultures for necropsy and diagnostic

testing. Between 2000 and 2002, we performed gross post-

VET DRUG RESPONSIBLE FOR POPULATION DECLINE OF

WHITE-BACKED VULTURES IN PAKISTAN

mortem examinations on 259 adult and subadult WBV, of

which 219 (85%) had grossly apparent urate deposits,

characteristic of visceral gout, on the serosal surfaces of

the internal organs. Visceral gout in birds is most commonly

the result of renal failure leading to hypeuricemia and the

deposition of uric acid on and within the internal organs,

and can be caused by many degenerative, metabolic,

infectious, or toxic diseases.

Avian Visceral Gout

Necropsy photograph of the abdominal cavity of an

WBV with gout, showing uric acid precipitates on the

serosal surfaces of the liver.

To verify renal disease,

and to determine the cause,

detailed necropsies and

diagnostic testing were

performed on a subset of 42

WBV (33 adults and 9

juveniles; 28 with gout and

14 without gout) collected

between 2000 and 2002. The

histopathological and linical

findings were most

compatible with acute renal

failure due to a toxic cause.

Viruses were not isolated

from either the kidney, spleen, lung, or intestine using at least

four passages for 13 vultures.

A novel mycoplasma associated with mild respiratory

lesions was identified, but subsequent studies did not find

a correlation between mycoplasma infection and renal

disease for 36 vultures.

Renal failure is associated with diclofenac

The most abundant food source for WBV in Pakistan

is dead domestic livestock. Therefore, we hypothesized that

veterinary pharmaceuticals or other agricultural chemicals

might be responsible for renal disease in

scavenging birds.

We conducted a survey of 74

veterinarians and veterinary pharmaceutical

retailers in the region to identify drugs that

were commonly used, new to the market

within the last 5 years, known to be

nephrotoxic, and absorbed orally. The only

drug identified in the survey that met all

these criteria was diclofenac.

Diclofenac is experimentally nephrotoxic

To verify the nephrotoxicity of

diclofenac in WBV, we administered single

Udaya

n B

ort

haku

r (I

BC

N m

ember

)



oral doses of vet diclofenac purchased locally in Pakistan

to four captive, non-releasable birds. Two were given the

label dose for mammals of 2.5 mg/kg, and two were given

0.25 mg/kg. Both of the high-dose and one of the low-dose

test vultures died with visceral gout within 36-58 hours

post-administration, and all three had the same microscopic

renal lesions as the field cases with visceral gout.

Diclofenac exposure may be from treated livestock

The most probable source of diclofenac exposure is

the consumption of treated livestock. In a second survey

that specifically focused on the sale of diclofenac, we verified

that this drug is widely available over-the-counter, heavily

used, and a recent addition to the market. In that survey of

84 drug retailers and veterinarians in eight different districts

in the Punjab province and one district in the Sindh province,

all 84 sold diclofenac, and 77 sold it on a daily basis. In

addition, 71 retailers reported that they began selling or

using diclofenac within the last five years, coincident with

the WBV decline.

Conclusions

The potential ecotoxic effects of human and

veterinary pharmaceuticals have been a growing concern

for a number of years. Populations of large raptors face

many challenges today, from persecution to habitat loss.

The identification of diclofenac as the primary cause of

abnormally high levels of adult vulture mortality in Pakistan

provides an opportunity for conservation intervention to

mitigate the current population decline. In stark contrast to

the current situation with the WBV, residues of commonly

used pharmaceuticals have not previously been implicated

in the mass poisoning of vertebrates on such a large spatial

and temporal scale, or for causing significant ecological

damage.

The high rate of gout-associated mortality in WBV in

India, and the widespread availability (41 commercial injectable

and oral preparations) and use of veterinary diclofenac in

India, (R. Risebrough, pers. comm.), suggests the role of

diclofenac in the decline of WBV in the rest of the subcontinent

needs to be urgently investigated since the extermination of

Gyps vultures appears imminent. In addition, other regional

vulture conservation actions, including captive breeding

facilities and food supplementation through vulture

“restaurants”, will need to ensure that food supplies are not

contaminated with diclofenac. Vultures play an essential role

in the ecosystem through removal of carrion. Extirpation of

these birds, in itself a great loss, is also likely to have far-

reaching environmental consequences.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Sue Pritchard, Shannon Donahoe,

and Muhammad Asim for technical assistance, and Todd

Taruscio for performing the diclofenac assays. Patrick

Benson, Tom Cade, Patricia Talcott, Katrina Mealey, Robert

Poppenga, Val Beasley, and Kimberlee Beckman are thanked

for helpful discussions. The Ornithological Society of

Pakistan, The Peregrine Fund USA, Punjab Department of

Wildlife and Parks, and the National Council for the

Conservation of Wildlife - Islamabad, and World Wildlife

Fund – Pakistan are thanked for their cooperation. Project

supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation,

The Peregrine Fund, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund,

San Diego Zoological Society, and the United Nations,

Ivorybill, and Summit Foundations.

J. Lindsay Oaks, Martin Gilbert, Munir Z. Virani, Richard T.

Watson, Carol U. Meteyer, Bruce A. Rideout, H. L. Shivaprasad,

Shakeel Ahmed, Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry,

Muhammad Arshad, Shahid Mahmood, Ahmad Ali and Aleem

Ahmed Khan

The vulture decline was first time reported by

Dr. Asad R. Rahmani in 1997 from Aligarh region where

he was working at that time. It was later confirmed

from Keoladeo National Park by Dr. Vibhu Prakash. The

BNHS is now carrying out annual vulture surveys in

selected protected areas in the country to monitor the

population as well as monitoring nesting colonies of

vultures, to look at the nesting success. The project is

funded by the Darwin Initiative for Survival of species.

BNHS has also established the first Vulture Care

Centre at Pinjore, Haryana, with the help and support

of the Government of Haryana. The Centre has been

established with the objective of treating sick birds

and to find out the disease, which is killing them.

Incidentally, all the 23 very sick vultures we have

brought to the Centre from different parts of the country

have survived.

BNHS has also established a Pathology

Laboratory at our Vulture Care Centre where it carry

out post mortems whenever it get dead vultures. BNHS

also carry out basic hematology and blood chemistry

work at the lab and store samples for virus isolation,

histopathology and toxicology. The samples are then

sent to the Poultry Diagnostic and Research Centre,

Pune. The samples have also been sent to Australian

Animal Health Laboratory, Australia, with the

permission of the Ministry of Environment and Forest,

for virus isolation.

It is yet to know whether the drug Diclofenac

has played a part in the vulture declines in India, and,

if so, whether this, or a combination of factors, has

caused the decline.

BNHS point of view on Vulture studies


One-day workshop was organized in Cuddapah for

Andhra Pradesh Forest Department officials on 29th

August 2003. The workshop was organized by BNHS in

which around 90 forest officials including Forest Rangers,

Foresters and Guards participated. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan,

District Collector, Cuddapah inaugurated the workshop

TRAINING WORKSHOP AND DEMONSTRATION OF RADIO

TAGGING METHOD ON BIRDS

Mr. P. Jeganathan on Jerdon’s Courser project. He presented

the results based on the work done for last two years. Later

Mr. Chirs Bowden gave presentation on radio tagging wild

birds. He gave examples of how useful, widespread and safe

radio-tracking is and also emphasising why it is important to

do radio-tracking studies on Jerdon’s Courser.

By P. Jegannathan

along with Mr. A.V. Joseph, Deputy Principal Chief

Conservator of Forest, Mr. P.K. Jha, Conservator of Forest,

District Forest Officers Mr. K. Gopinatha and Mr. Udaya

Shankar. Mr. P. Jeganathan, Researcher, BNHS and Mr. Chirs

Bowden, RSPB were the main resource persons.

Mr. Chris Bowden officially presented the poster entitled

“Conservation of the Critically Endangered Jerdon’s Courser

Rhinoptilus bitorquatus in India” which gives brief details of

works done in the Darwin funded Jerdon’s Courser project to

Mr. A.V. Joseph. The workshop started with presentation by

Later in the evening, participants visited Sri

Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary. One Red-wattled

Lapwing Vanellus indicus was ringed and fitted with radio-

tag in front of the participants. And also some of the

participants tracked one of the previously radio-tagged

Red-wattled lapwing. Preparation of soil strip, plaster casting

the footprints was also demonstrated to the forest staffs.

Finally part of the group including the senior officials stayed

until 8 pm trying to listen Jerdon’s Courser in the place

where it was known to occur, but did not succeed.

AWC COORDINATORS MEETING IN MALAYSIA

A meeting of the Coordinators of the Asian

Waterbird Census (AWC) organized by Wetlands

International was held in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia between

9 and 10 October 2003. A total of 35 people from 20

countries and regions participated, including coordinators

and their representatives from Australia, Bangladesh,

Cambodia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India,

Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines,

Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The meeting was the first formal gathering of the

AWC coordinators since the establishment of the AWC

in 1987. It provided a great opportunity for the coordinators

to come together to discuss the main achievements and

issues for the development of the AWC.

Invited presentations on regional initiatives,

included BirdLife International’s Important Bird Areas and

Threatened Bird Update, Asia-Pacific Migratory Waterbird

Conservation Strategy, Shorebird Action Plan for the East

Asian-Australasian Flyway, Anatidae Action Plan for the

East Asian Flyway and the Development of the Central

Asian Flyway initiative. These presentations clearly

demonstrated how the data collected through the AWC

provides a strong basis for the development and

implementation of these regional conservation activities.

Learn about the Asian Waterbird Census at http://

www.wetlands.org/IWC/awc/awcmain.html. For more

information on the meeting visit http://www.wetlands.org/

IWC/awc/workshop03.html

ADVOCACY...

PIC

S: Z

AF

AR

-UL IS

LA

M


Of the nine Indian species of hornbills, all of which are

listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Protection

Act (1972), five are found in the tropical forests north-east

India. Most of these are threatened and vulnerable in varying

degrees due to traditional hunting and recent accelerated

habitat loss and modification.

The status of hornbills is probably better in Arunachal

Pradesh than in the other north-eastern states where hunting

and forest loss has been greater. Hornbills play an important

role in local culture and are associated with the folklore of

most tribal groups. However, hunting is a major conservation

issue due to the traditional value of these birds for their

feathers, beaks, casques, flesh and supposed medicinal

properties of their fat.

A four year ecological study on three sympatric

hornbill species, the Great hornbill Buceros bicornis,

Wreathed hornbill Aceros undulatus, and the Oriental Pied

hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris in Pakke Tiger Reserve

which is one of the IBAs, and adjoining reserve forests in

western Arunachal Pradesh, has generated basic information

about the breeding biology, diet, nest and roost site

requirements. The Rufous-necked hornbill was sighted only

at higher elevations in Papum Reserve Forest (RF) and in

Eagle’s Nest Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA site).

Pakke TR (862 km2, 92°36’ – 93°09’E and 26°54 –

27°16’N) lies in the foothill forests of Arunachal Pradesh, in

East Kameng district of AP. It is contiguous with reserve

forests and several other protected areas. A vast portion in

the central and northern part of the park is relatively

inaccessible due to the dense vegetation, hilly terrain and

the lack of trails. Access towards the southern boundary

adjoining Pakke River, is much easier since the river is

fordable. Hunting and trapping of birds is common in this

area and villagers from Assam regularly enter the park to

collect cane, agar and other minor forest products. Illegal

fishing is also a disturbance in the bigger perennial streams

towards the southern boundary. However, much of Pakke

TR has undisturbed primary forest.

Breeding biology: The breeding season of all three

hornbill species commenced in the dry hot period (March-

April) before the rainy season. Contrary to what most

existing studies have reported, the breeding season did not

end before the onset of heavy rains, but, continued through

the rainy season (June-August), with both the chick and

female remaining incarcerated in the nest cavity through

heavy rains. The nesting cycle of the Great hornbill lasted

110-129 days, 120-140 days for the Wreathed hornbill and

approximately 93-97 days for the Oriental Pied hornbill. The

incubation period was estimated to be 40-55 days. Great

hornbill females emerged out of the nest cavity after 88 to

109 days, while in Wreathed hornbill and Oriental Pied

PAKKE TIGER RESERVE (IBA SITE)

HORNBILL HAVEN IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

hornbill they emerged together with the chicks, having

remained incarcerated throughout the nesting cycle.

The role of hornbills as seed dispersers: Seed

dispersal is an important ecosystem function. Hornbills were

found to play an important role as seed dispersers of over

80 rainforest tree species or over one-fourth of the recorded

woody tree species in the area. There is also evidence that

hornbills may be the sole dispersers of several large-sized

fruits of some Meliaceae, Myristicaceae, and Lauraceae.

Nest site selection and hornbill abundance: Hornbills

nested in cavities of live trees of five genera with 83% of 36

nests being in Tetrameles nudiflora, an emergent deciduous

softwood tree that is relatively common in lowland foothill

forests. Differences among hornbill species in nest site

choice were largely determined by cavity size. Nevertheless,

the availability of suitable nest sites may be a limiting factor

for hornbill populations in the area given the current rates

of loss of nesting habitat in foothill lowland forests to human

activities.

Communal roosting and roost site characteristics:

Communal roost sites were on isolated deciduous trees either

in successional grassland habitats or on cliff faces along

rivers and perennial streams. Breeding males also joined

the roosting flocks, an observation that has not been

reported earlier. Hornbills roost in much larger flocks in the

non-breeding season when food resources are scarce.

Communal roosting appears to be mainly related to food

finding and sharing of information about food sources.


PIC

S: T

IM L

AM

AN


Rufous-necked Hornbill male

bringing fruits to nest

Other avifauna: A total of 296 bird species have been

recorded from the area by various people. At least 45-50

species of major frugivorous/granivorous birds occur here.

Among these are at least 6 globally threatened species

such as the Great hornbill Buceors bicornis, Rufous-necked

hornbill Aceros nipalensis, White-winged Duck Cairina

scutulata, Pallas’s Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus and

the White-cheeked Hill-Partridge Arborophila atrogularis.

Other rare birds included Amur Falcon Falco amurensis,

Green Cochoa Cochoa viridis, Great cormorant

Phalacrocorax carbo, black stork Ciconia nigra and the

White-browed shortwing Brachypteryx montana. Among

regionally threatened and rare birds are the Wreathed

hornbill Aceros undulatus, Mountain scops owl Otus

spilocephalus and the Asian Brown flycatcher Muscicapa

dauurica. Birds of uncertain status included two species

of pittas and the scarlet-backed flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum.

The yellow-vented warbler Phylloscopus cantator, a restricted

range species also occurs here. The rare Oriental Bay Owl Phodilus

badius, a first record from western Arunachal Pradesh has also

been recorded in the area recently.

Local communities and conservation threats: East

Kameng district is among the most thinly populated districts

of Arunachal Pradesh. Thirteen to fifteen villages located

near the south-eastern boundary of the park have an adult

population of about 4000 people (mostly belonging to the

Nishi tribal community). Besides the villagers engage in

fishing, hunting, cane and bamboo, pole cutting, collection

of honey and dhuna (resin) in the forest for their needs.

Villagers from Assam often enter the forests to collect cane

that is sold in local markets for making furniture and other

products in nearby Tezpur. Fishing in the rivers is a major

source of disturbance, especially by villagers from Assam

who camp for several days and often poison an entire stretch

of river. The biggest threat has been the increasing

encroachment and almost total clear-cutting of reserve forests

in Assam near the state boundary adjoining Pakke TR by

Bodo settlers.

Hunting by the Nishis is mainly for subsistence and

local consumption, although sometimes wild meat is also a

supplemental source of cash income. In recent years, the

Nishi community has become more responsive to

conservation activities thanks to the efforts of the Forest

Department and conservation organizations. They (many

of whom were hunters) are now involved in the conservation

of hornbills (earlier there was a taboo on hunting hornbills

in the breeding season, now there is supposed to be a year-

round ban, and have formed village councils to ensure

reduction of hunting activities in general. However, hunting

remains a threat, because of the traditional value and increasing

rarity of hornbills elsewhere in Arunachal. The conservation

commitment of the Nishi villagers needs to be sustained

through more incentives, income-generation options tied to

wildlife conservation in the area (employment as nature guides,

eco-tourism) and conservation education programs.

Status of hornbills in Arunachal Pradesh: Pakke TR

and the adjoining Doimara and Papum reserve forests,

Eagle’s Nest WLS (3500 km2) are the best areas for hornbills

in Arunachal Pradesh and comprise one of the few remaining

areas of reasonably intact foothill forest in the state. Foothill

forests are the most vulnerable because of relatively easier

access. The area is close to the Assam border and militant

activities operations of the Army often hamper movement

of the Forest Department staff and make it more difficult to

patrol such areas. Hornbills are very rare and even locally

extinct in many other areas of Arunachal Pradesh. Namdapha

National Park, which has five species of hornbills (including

the rare and threatened Brown hornbill Anorrhinus austeni),

is another relatively good area for hornbills. Hornbill

abundance in other protected areas (Mehao WLS, Kamlang

WLS, Tale Valley WLS, Itanagar WLS, Mouling National

Park) and reserve forests in Arunachal Pradesh is much

lower than in Pakke TR or Namdapha NP. Apart from higher

hunting pressures, many of these areas are in higher elevations

where the Great hornbill Buceros bicornis and the Oriental

Pied hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris are not seen much

(being largely restricted to foothill forests below 1000 m), and

the Wreathed hornbills Aceros undulatus only come in

seasonally in the non-breeding season. The Rufous-necked

hornbill Aceros nipalensis is the more common species in

high elevation areas above 900 m and is heavily hunted.


Dr. Aparajita Datta worked on Hornbills for the Ph.D. and is

Associate Ecologist with Nature Conservation Foundation

and Research Associate, WCS-India Programme, Bangalore

THE INTERNET BIRD COLLECTION

(IBC)

A non-profit venture with the goal of disseminating

knowledge about all species of the world’s avifauna. A

free-access, on-line library of videos and other

audiovisual material of the world’s birds, the growth

depends solely on the participation of its users and

supporters. We invite all birders to contribute material

and take part in helping make this exciting endeavour a

success. http:// www.hbw.com/ibc/

BIRDLIFE ASIA COUNCIL MEETING IN

INDONESIA

BirdLife Asia Council meeting was held in Bogor in

October 2003 to discuss the future strategies on bird

conservation in Asia and to strengthen the BirdLife

partnership. The theme was “achievements for species,

sites, habitats and people since the 1999 World Confe-

rence”, with a particular focus on achievements since the

2001 Kathmandu BirdLife Asia Council meeting. IBCN

Projects Manager attended this meeting to update the IBCN

activities and experience to all the BirdLife Asia partners.


FLYOVER CONSTRUCTION NEAR THE

OKHLA BIRD SANCTUARY (IBA SITE)

Delhi and the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh

harbour a huge wetland refuge for birds. The site is located

at the point where the river Yamuna leaves the territory of

Delhi and enters the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh.

The most prominent feature of the Sanctuary is a large lake

created by damming the river. So rich is this stretch of the

river for avian diversity that it could well qualify as a Ramsar

wetland of international importance. However, various

development activities such as the construction of the

NOIDA-Delhi freeway is major threat to prime habitats of

several birds.

The Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) side of Okhla has already

been declared a bird Sanctuary. Since the creation of a

barrage on the river in 1986, and resultant waterbody, the

bird life has shown tremendous increase. Abdul Jamal Urfi

of Delhi University has compiled a list of 302 bird species

from this site. An additional 27 species have been listed by

Harris as probable. They need confirmation. During winter,

between 14,000 to 20,000 waterbirds are recorded. This site

qualifies A4(iii) criteria of IBA (i.e. the site is known or

thought to hold 20,000 waterbirds).

The total Okhla list includes two Critically Endangered

(CR) species, nine Vulnerable (VU) species, seven Near

Threatened (NT) species and one Conservation Dependent

(CD) species. Some species, such as Baikal Teal Anas

formosa, Greater Greyheaded Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga

ichthyaetus, and Bristled Grassbird Chaetornis striatus have

not been seen in recent years.

Since May-June 2003, the NOIDA authority has

commissioned the construction of a flyover that is essentially

designed to remove the need for traffic lights at the intersection

of the road from Sector 18 and the Dadri Road. This flyover

will completely destroy Smriti Van and adversely affect the

Okhla Bird Sanctuary, which is within 15 meters of the

construction site. As far as we have been able to determine,

no traffic survey has been carried out in order to determine

the precise need for a flyover at this spot.

So far, about 8 concrete pillars have been erected.

However, even at this stage, IBCN strongly feel that it should

be re-aligned which will save this IBA site from degradation.

The construction activity as well as increased traffic

movement on the flyover will seriously damage the nesting

potential of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary, which is barely 15

meters from the construction site and hosts many species

of migratory birds. This will add to the damage that has

already been caused to this Important Bird Area by the

construction of the Delhi- NOIDA Toll Bridge.

IBCN members are requested to kindly write to the

following to save this IBA site

Chairman and CEO, New Okhla Industrial

Development Authority, Sector 6, Noida – 201301, Dist.

Gautam Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh Tel- (0120)- 2422160,

Fax- (0120)- 2422210, Email- [email protected]

Arpan SharmaTrustee, Samrakshan Trust, E-314, Anandlok,

Mayur Vihar Phase – I

NEW DELHI-110091, EMAIL: [email protected]

serious threat to Megapodes, disturbing their unique nesting

mounds located in coastal forest areas. Other developments

causing disturbance to avifauna are roads such as the East-

West road, which cuts through the middle of the island

destroying the precious interior forest, and the North-South

road, which is busy with vehicular traffic. Stone quarries

cause forest gaps, landslides and erosion.

Parakeets, Megapodes and other birds are hunted for

food by local inhabitants of the Nicobars. Megapode eggs

are also taken. Another species that is in great danger of

over exploitation is the Edible-nest Swiftlet Collocalia

fuciphaga. Several nesting caves found along the Great

Nicobar coastline are being depleted unsustainably.

The introduced Andaman Red-whiskered Bulbul

Pycnonotus jacosus whistleri, from the Andaman Islands

is posing a threat to the Nicobar Bulbul Hypsipetes

nicobariensis which is exclusive to the islands near

Nancowry, while coconut plantations in Car Nicobar, the

most densely populated of all the islands, leave very little

forest cover.

IBAs IN THE A & N ISLANDS...

However, the most alarming threat over-arching all

the ones described so far, is developmental plans that have

been proposed for the Nicobar Islands, particularly the

building of a dry dock and refuelling base for international

shipping, and making Great Nicobar a free port. Intense

building activity of this sort, with the oceanic traffic it entails

will be a fatal blow to the delicate island ecology.

The challenge ahead for the conservation of the IBAs

in the fragile Andaman & Nicobar Islands is to protect their

ecological integrity for the survival of globally and nationally

important bird species.

Tara GandhiOne of Dr Salim Ali’s last students, Tara Gandhi’s M.Sc

research was on the birds of scrub jungles and monocultures in

Tamil Nadu . Her recent work in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

includes a field investigation of protected areas, prioritisation of

sites for biodiversity conservation and contributions for a PA

management plan in the islands. She participated in the IBA

programme for A&N.

(...continued from page 5)


BirdLife is pleased to launch Saving Asia’s threatened

birds: a guide for government and civil society.

BirdLife’s new guide, Saving Asia’s threatened birds: a

guide for government and civil Society, sets out the priorities

for the conservation of birds and habitats in Asia, based on

the comprehensive scientific research published in BirdLife’s

Red Data Book, Threatened Birds of Asia.

This new book presents the information on threatened

birds in a user-friendly and visual form, and promotes the

conservation actions that are most urgently needed.

The Guide is a celebration of the beauty of Asia’s birds

and the places that they inhabit, with many colorful

photographs of birds and the region’s forests, grasslands

and wetlands. It is designed principally for decision-makers

in government and civil society, in whose hands lies the future

of the region’s spectacular wildlife.

These are the main target audiences for Saving Asia’s

threatened birds, because they are the organisations and

people in whose hands lies the future of Asia’s threatened

birds.

IBCN and its members can carry out many of the

recommended for conservation action in the book, such as

surveys and ecological studies, and site-based conservation

projects.

But there are many actions where the leadership of

SAVING THREATENED BIRDS OF ASIA

governments and the corporate

sector is necessary.

International conventions

are an important mechanism for the

conservation of threatened birds

and their habitats.

For example, CITES to

control the wild bird trade, Ramsar

for wetland conservation and

management, CMS for migratory

species, and the UN Convention

to Combat Desertification for the

protection of forests and grasslands.

Saving Asia’s threatened birds identifies the most

important actions that are needed in relation to these

conventions.

The guide is arguably the most comprehensive

regional proposal to prevent species extinctions ever

produced. To increase access, the guide will soon be

available on CD-ROM and on the Internet.

Saving Asia’s threatened birds show that there is

much to be done, but if governments and civil society are

able to work effectively together we can prevent extinctions,

and protect Asia’s spectacular wildlife for future

generations.

PETRONIA – FIFTY YEARS OF

POST-INDEPENDENCE ORNITHOLOGY IN INDIA

NEW RELEASES...

A commemorative volume brought out by the BNHS, comprising articles on ornithology

by Salim Ali’s friends, colleagues, and student, this book is a centenary tribute to Dr. Salim Ali.

It has been sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Environ-

ment and Forests of the Government of India.

The year 2003 was a year for celebration for the BNHS.

The Society’s Journal completed its 100th volume. Started

three years after the Society, in 1886, it completed 100 years

of publication in 1986 with Vol. 83. The anomaly between

calendar years and volume numbers is from the fact that up

to volume 54 each volume had 4 issues and their publication

was not related to the calendar year. It is only from Vol. 55

(1958) that each volume is contained within a calendar year.

The Journal is an authority on and seminal database

for information on the biodiversity of the Asian Region. It is

a peer reviewed journal with a succession of illustrious

editors, including SH Prater, Charles McCann, Sálim Ali,

Humayun Abdulali and is currently

edited by JC Daniel who is also the

Honorary Secretary of the Society.

The Journal has helped to produce

well illustrated books on the birds,

reptiles and amphibians, mammalia,

trees, and other flora of the Indian

Subcontinent. The Journal contains

a wealth of lithographic and

photographic records, and

descriptions of new and known

species.

BNHS RELEASES 100TH VOLUME OF THE JOURNAL


A Centenary Dedication to Dr. Salim Ali 1896-1996

Edited by J. C. Daniel and Gayatri W. Ugra

Awareness programme for Manas National Park (IBA site) in Assam

The Assam Government with the Forest Department

and other agencies have proposed to raise an eco-task force

and sensitize the police, the Army and other paramilitary

forces to improve the security situation and end militant

activities in the Manas National Park (IBA site) and its sur-

rounding areas under the proposed Bodoland Territorial

Council (BTC) which are important for many bird species

including Bengal Florican Houbaropis bengalensis and

Horsely hill in Andhra Pradesh is another famous

destination of the Yellow-throated bulbul.

Even though the above areas come under the

protection of the forest department, large-scale

encroachments on a regular basis are a common issue. For

example quarrying, tree felling during dry season, illegal

livestock grazing throughout the year. Garbage dumping

during the festival season by the visitors as most of these

hills host a temple at the summit.

Proposed measures

All these sites require adequate protection. Locals

living in the vicinity of these sites should be appointed as

guards and constant patrolling should be carried out.

Appointing the tribal as forest guards is an added

advantage and this is due to the tribal’s local knowledge of

the terrain. Periyar Tiger Reserve is a great success story

when it comes to this.

Signboards should be erected in these sites to remind

the visitor that an endemic, vulnerable species of bird is

part of the ecosystem.

Research activity by scientists will through more light

into the life of the Yellow-throated bulbul.

Overall awareness should be created through articles

in the local news papers, magazines etc.

Threats

l The Main threats for Yellow-throated Bulbuls are

habitat loss, which is due to quarrying.

l We have seen hillocks near Ramanagaram and

Channapatna hosting the Yellow-throated Bulbul,

completely grounded due to quarrying and the birds

disappearing from those places.

l Excessive grazing during the summer months can cause

severe damage to the nesting plants. Especially goats,

which feed on leaves, are one of the major threats.

l Clearing forest for firewood during dry season.

Yellow-throated Bulbul...


ADVOCACY...

Clement Francis and Raj

Vijaykumar Thondaman are two

naturalist and excellent

photographer in Karnataka

other threatened birds. These

steps, a recent review meeting

felt, were needed as forest offi-

cials have deserted a number of

forest outposts due to militants’

threat, besides the rampant tree

felling and poaching by mili-

tants directly or through mafia

gangs backed by them.

At the high-level meeting,

the Forest Department has pro-

posed a number of steps, promi-

nent among which are clear the

patrolling path from Basbari

Mathonguri road to

Bhuyanpara via Uchila and

make in passable; restoration of

more than 15 damaged bridges

on the boundary road of the

National Park for which the

project director has already been asked to make estimates,

and making forest camps at Uchila, Buraburi and Kuribil

functional.

The Field Director has already been instructed to in-

tensify patrolling in the reserve forest, and the Deputy Di-

rector and the Research Officer have been specially as-

signed to undertake an extensive motivation and aware-

ness programme in the fringe villages of the National Park.

PIC

S: H

ILLO

LJY

OT

I SIN

GH

A


BIHAR WANTS COMPENSATION FOR RAILWAY LINE THROUGH

VALMIKI TIGER RESERVE (IBA SITE)

Bihar State Forest and Environment Minister has

sought a compensation of Rs. 1024 crores from the Centre

for the loss incurred on account of a railway project that

affected the Madanpur forest area and the Valmiki Tiger

Reserve (IBA site) in West Champaran district.

According to the Project Tiger Status Report, 2001

issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, due to

the construction of Baghva-Chitauni Rail-cum-Road Link

Bridge, the natural flow of Rohua and Kotaraihya streams

were blocked and 1691 hectare of forest land has been

inundated. This led to 15000 trees dying in the Madanpur

block in the buffer of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve.

The report also mentions conditional clearance for three

mining leases after imposing seventeen conditions given by

the Central Government. The leaseholders do not fulfill any of

the imposed conditions. Therefore, Government of India

should reconsider cancellation of these mining leases. There

are no villages in the core but there are 8 villages in the buffer

that entirely depend on the natural resources of this Reserve,

for firewood, thatch, timber and minor forest produce. A

population of 32,000 livestock exerts pressure on the area for

grazing. According to 1997 census there were 53 Tigers and

54 Leopards.

In August 2003, the Central Empowered Committee

(CEC) heard a petition filed by Wildlife Protection Society

of India WPSI on encroachments in the six additional areas

(AA) to Kaziranga National Park (IBA site), which is situated

on the flood plains of the Brahmaputra. Kaziranga National

Park has suffered considerable loss of land due to riverbank

erosion along its northern boundary. The six additions,

created by the Government of Assam to offset the loss of

land due to riverbank erosion, provide vital habitats and

corridors that act as escape routes to higher ground for

Kaziranga’s mega herbivores during the Brahmaputra’s

annual flooding.

However, these additions face an uncertain future

due to persistent litigation in the Guwahati High Court by

the encroachers. WPSI’s petition highlighted the damage

that continuous illegal grazing and encroachments had

caused to the fragile and unique ecosystem of Kaziranga

and its additions. It prayed that the six additions to the Park

be cleared of encroachments. Photographs and field reports

sent by WPSI staff were used to point out the ecological

significance and specific threat faced by each addition.

Appreciating the gravity of the matter, the CEC issued

notices to all the respondents, including the Principal Chief

Conservator of Forests and Chief Secretary of Assam. In

recognition of Kaziranga’s status as a UNESCO World

Natural Heritage Site, Mr. A. D. N. Rao, Counsel for the

Ministry of Environment and Forests, agreed to formulate a

legal strategy for the settlement of claims in Guwahati High

Court. The MoEF is the nodal agency for UNESCO in India.

Valmiki Tiger Reserve (IBA site) is located in the

northernmost part of the West Champaran district of Bihar.

Valmiki is the 18th declared Tiger Reserve of the country.

The core area of the Reserve was declared as a National

Park in 1989. Government of Bihar had notified 464.60 sq.

km. area as Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary in 1978. Later on, in

1990, an area of 419.18 sq. km. was added to the Sanctuary.

Thus, the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary embraces a total area

of 880.78 sq. km.

Certain startling steps which are being contemplated

by the Bihar Government for attracting tourists in a big way

into these remotely located forests. Valmikinagar is the only

tiger reserve in Bihar, and unfortunately has been

continuously on the throes of dacoits, militancy, naxalism,

etc. Well-organized gangs operate in the parts making

enforcement of laws extremely difficult. There is a proposal

pending for funds support from the center, for stationing of

an armed police contingent. This initiative on the part of the

State Government is praise worthy however the next

proposals of the State Government to start certain

infrastructures activities to attract tourists is what may lead

to the ultimate doom! for what remains of these fantastic

tiger lands and many globally threatened species of birds.

The State Government is also soliciting funds from

the center for starting water sports, tiger safaris, including

cafeterias, in these forests. These activities contemplated

would certainly deal a severe death blow to the remaining

tigers in these parts. With a forest contiguity with the forests

on the Nepal side, and it being considered as a part of a

grandiose tiger conservation programme coming under the

TERAI ARC TIGER CONSERVATION PROJECT a WWF

International Action Project, there exists tremendous

potential for the tiger. But with such damaging steps, this

prospective tiger land is under threat from a different kind.

ADVOCACY...

(Continued on page 24...)

VALMIKI TIGER RESERVE (IBA SITE) THREATENED IN A

DIFFERENT MANNER

CENTRAL EMPOWERED COMMITTEE HEARD PETITION ON

KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK (IBA SITE) IN ASSAM


Talking about Keoladeo, we the residents of

Pondicherry, instinctively remember our only bird habitat,

Used-eri or Ousteri. It is much larger, 12 square kilometer,

than our notion of the tank, may be little bigger than the

Keoladeo water body. Usually known as a lake, it is

connected through Suthukanni channel to Gingee and

Varaha rivers. Constructed during the Vijayanagra dynasty,

some 500 years ago, as it might already be a low land, it may

be termed as a heritage water body. Thousands of wintering

birds migrate here every year and go back with the onset of

summer. It has some islets inside it. It is true that poaching,

fertilizer poisoning paucity of rain, utter neglect and lack of

interest is turning it into forgotten place. Birds come lesser

in numbers in recent years. In its efforts to dredge and desilt,

the P.W.D., Government of Pondicherry, has recently

removed certain useful bird nesting weeds called, Neyveli

Kattamanakku, it has been reported. In fact there is a

tendency to declare it as a picnic spot, inviting people to

further contaminate the are with non-biodegradable plastic

packs, residue of food and other pollutants. A boating

proposition at a distance of 10 to 12 km from the town is

another folly. Chunambar is an example, though Chunambar,

with a flowing river nearing the sea, is better suited to real

boating. But one should remember that emissions from

motorboats have poisoned the Ooty lake.

Pondicheery does not have any wildlife sanctuary.

Ousteri may be declared as a bird sanctuary, to be mentioned

by the Forest Department, Government of Pondicheery.

Proper development of the watershed area to ensure as

much water as possible in it, will improve the ground water

level of the town. Planting saplings of barringtonia

acutangula, acacia nilotica and bamboo bushes on the banks

of the lake will further beautify the lake and pave the way

toward offering better and more nesting and breeding

opportunities to local and migratory birds. An awareness

among the locales will help a better conservation of the

sanctuary. All illegal and undesirable acts are to be stopped.

While banks of the water body may be constructed

with cement, stones on one or two sides, without distributing

the balance, construction of proper watch towers may help

ladies and children, among others, to go up and watch the

birds, to feel oneness among all living creatures on earth, to

enjoy silence. Bird watching has been hailed as a very

interesting hobby. It may induce one to study the bird

behaviour further. There is no doubt that it is educative.

Coots, teals, pond herons, grey herons, cormorants,

hawks, kites, darters, different ducks, terns, kingfishers, pied

kingfishers, drongos, flycatchers, red wattled lapwings and

many other water and other birds, including the birds of

prey are the usual visitors in the lake. Wading and skimming

in the water, gliding and flapping in the sky, suddenly

dropping and scooping on the ground by a bird or prey,

while hovering round above, are the various ways of bird

behaviour. Bird story and bird life may open new vistas to

an onlooker. It may really interest new tourists who may

come simply as bird watchers.

Let Ousteri be developed properly, let people tell its

tale. It will spread far and wide. It will become a tourist spot.

We have said it many times. We repeat it again.

Aju Mukhopadhyay

ADVOCACY...

mixed forests and a lucky walk through the forest floor,

crispy due to dried foliage, may even give one a rare day

encounter with the camouflaged and quietly resting

nightjars. Come night and the nightjars rule the world as

they fly everywhere, perch carelessly on the forest road

causing you to panic in anticipation of running your vehicle

on one of them.

In all, the overall experience of birding in Panna Tiger

Reserve can be captivating. The forest roads are well

designed and pass through or along all available habitats.

If curious enough, one can boast of an enviable checklist at

the end of the day, whichever season one visits the Park .

As the mighty birdman of India said, “you may go miles

without seeing a bird, and suddenly you may find yourself

in a spot having birds and more birds everywhere”, quite

that stands true for the birder’s day in Panna where intuition

and experience of a veteran local guide shall hold the key to

calling it a day.


BIRDS OF PANNA...

Text and photograph by

Koustubh Sharma, a BNHS

research fellow, working on Four

Horned Antilope in Panna Tiger

Reserve for his Ph.D. thesis

OUSTERI LAKE (IBA site) IN PONDICHERRY

PIC

S: A

JU

MU

KH

OP

AD

HY

AY


GREEN GUARD NATURE ORGANISATION

IBCN Partners Name : GREEN GUARD NATURE ORGANISATION

Founded : April,1994

Registration Number : RS/NG/254/67

Contact Person : Shimanta Kumar Goswami

Lakhimi Path, Lakhinagar,

P.O. Haibargaon, Dist. Nagaon,

Assam 782002

Email : [email protected],

[email protected]

PARTNER FACT FILE...

Aims and ObjectivesEnvironment Protection including maintaining of Ecological

Balance and forest cover.

Conservation of the biodiversity found in the area Wildlife

rescue and rehabilitation

Habitat protection and conservation

Survey and behavior study of wild life

Awareness programmes, eco-friendly and sustainable

development activities

Total Member strength: 78 (Seventy eight) members

Activities of Green Guard Nature

Organisation1. Data collection on faunal diversity of Central Assam is

being carried on since 1996

2. Survey and census of 10 wetlands of Nagaon &

Morigaon district is being done since the year 2000.

3. Identification of important wildlife habitats in Central

Assam

4. Nature Camp for students is organized every year on

the occasion of Wildlife Week

6. Essay writing and Art competition among school

children is organised every year, on World Environment

Day.

Some major projects carried out1. Implemented a project to Survey wetland & waterfowl

in 15 major wetlands in the districts of Nagaon &

Morigaon funded by SACON & UNDP in the year 2001

2. Successfully completed a Greater Adjutant Stork rescue

programme at Nagaon & Morigaon district in the year

2000-2001 under Rapid Action Programme of WTI.

3. A project on Greater Adjutant Stork conservation

funded by USFWS and in collaboration with Aaranyak

is on progress since 2002

4. A project on Eco-club formation in 100 schools of

Morigaon district funded by MoEF, is continuing in

the current year

5. A preliminary Survey on the status of Hollock Gibbon

in Nagaon & Morigaon districts was conducted under

Gauhati University in the year 2003

6. A preliminary Survey on Grassland and avifaunal

diversity of Deobali Jalah was successfully completed

in the year 2003. This was funded by BNHS under IBA

programme

Achievements of the organsiation

1. Completely wiped out the snake tamers exhibiting

snakes in the market places of Nagaon and Morigaon

district.

2. Wildlife rescued from poachers, wildlife traders and

apart from that wildlife

Rescued from different places of Nagaon and Morigaon

district and then rehabilitated since 1995.

3. Two Nature Clubs have been formed in two schools of

Nagaon and Morigaon.

Other details

1. Green Guard Nature Organisation is recognized as a

Nodal NGO for the National Green Crops Teacher’s

training programme.

2. Survey and census of waterfowl in the wetlands of

Nagaon & Morigaon districts is done every year under

IWRB and AWB.

3. Members of Green Guard Nature Organisation

participate in the Tiger census as and when it is

organized by Nagaon Wildlife division.

4. The Director of Green Guard Nature Organisation

participated in the Training Workshop on Wildlife

rehabilitation organized by WTI at Itanagar, Arunachal

Pradesh.

5. A huge flock of Amur Falcon (around 20,000) was

spotted at Morigaon district and studied for 15 days. It

is probably a rare case of sighting such a huge flock of

raptors at a time in a single place.

6. WSSD essay competitions in schools were carried out

with the help of Assam Science and Technology Council

(ASTEC).

7. Under the National Environment Awareness Campaign,

a series of awareness workshop was organized on the

theme “Conservation of wetlands ” under MoEF and

Assam Science Society.


ADVOCACY...

A spill from the Tata Chemical’s factory in Mithapur is

reported to have impacted plant and animal life inside the Gulf

of Kutch Marine National Park in October 2003. Tata Chemicals

officials admitted that there was an ‘accidental spill’ of calcium

chloride into sector four and the sanctuary area. After

processing soda ash, waste water is released into the settling

pond where solid waste settles. The remaining water is released

into the sea. On this occasion the earthen pond suddenly

cracked dispensing the slurry, comprising water and solid waste

into the waters of the National Park. Initial reports suggested

that 62 hectares of the Park and about 1500 mangrove plants

were damaged. Due to the calcium deposit, some parts of the

land too have been permanently lost. Apart from the

mangroves, damage is also expected to the benthic species,

deep in the sea. The forest department estimates also suggest

that while the three lakh tonne slurry may have travelled to as

wide an area as four km, nearly 150 acres of land too has been

directly affected. It has collected both soil and mangrove

samples and sent these for laboratory testing at the Gujarat

Pollution Control Board (GPCB).

This incident has come within three years of a salt

brine spill which had a severe impact on the mangrove forest

within the Park. Company officials suggested that the break

might have been caused by some seismic activity, but forest

officials have disagreed with this. Four employees of the

plant, including a manager were arrested on charges of

alleged negligence. They were later released on bail. The

GPCB also ordered the closure of the company’s soda ash

(washing soda) manufacturing plant following this incident.

Subsequently, less than a week later, the Gujarat Government

gave conditional approval to restart the plant. The decision

was taken on the ground that the plant officials would clean

up all the slurry waste and also fully comply with all the

safety measures in future. The company has also agreed to

build a new pond, with a cement-concrete wall surrounding

it. This apart, the Tata Chemicals has approached the Coast

Guard and the Goa-based National Institute of

Oceanography to find out the exact nature of the damage

done to the Marine National Park and take all the remedial

measures in future.

Pankaj Sekhsaria, Kalpavriksh, Pune

Readers could do well to immediately intervene by

addressing letters to the following, for immediate cessation

of actions like establishment of a water sports complex, tiger

safaris, etc. But at the same time they should encourage the

state government as well as the central government to

immediately sanction additional forces for protection of

these forests.

l Shri Laloo Prasad Yadav- President Rashtriya Janata Dal,

Patna, Bihar.

l Smt. Rabri Devi- Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar Patna.

l Secretary-cum-Commissioner Tourism and Culture,

Government of Bihar, Sachivalaya, Patna

l The Field Director Valmikinagar Tiger Reserve, District:-

West Champaran, Bihar

l Inspector General of Forests and Director Project Tiger,

Government of India, Bikaner House (Annexe), Shah

Jehan Road, New Delhi

l Dr. Vinod Rishi IFS, Additional Director General (Wildlife),

Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan,

CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

l Union Minister for Forests and Environment, Ministry of

Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO

Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

l Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests,

Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New

Delhi

Valmiki TR threatened in a different manner...


CHEMICAL SPILL EFFECTS MARINE NATIONAL PARK

(IBA SITE) IN GUJARAT

ASIA-PACIFIC MIGRATORY WATER BIRD CONSERVATION STRATEGYInteractive set of maps new interactive set of maps and information links on the international Site Networks for

migratory water birds in the East Asian-Australasian region established under the Asia-Pacific Migratory Water bird

Conservation Strategy has been launched. Visit the site at http://www.wetlands.org/IWC/awc/waterbirdstrategy

Network.htm#map.P

ICS

: DE

EP

AK

AP

TE


URANIUM MINE NEAR

NAGARJUNASAGAR-SRISALIAM

TIGER RESERVE (IBA SITE)

The Uranium Coroporation of India Limited (UCIL)

has been granted a lease for uranium mining in the

Nalgonda district of Andhra Pradesh, close to the Rajiv

Gandhi Tiger Reserve (also known as the Nagarjunasagar-

Srisailam TR). The mine will be situated only 3km from the

boundary of the tiger reserve and also from the Akkampally

project, which supplies drinking water to Hyderabad. The

minig will be carried in 526.65 ha in Peddagattu and Yellapur

villages, while the processing plant is to come up over

318.25 ha in Dugyal and mallapuram villages. Out of the

526.65 ha for which the mining lease has been sought at

least 80% is forest land. The public hearing for both the

ore extraction site and the plant was held in the area on

August 19, 2003. The National Board for Wildlife of the

Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has been

consistently rejecting UCIL’s proposals, from prospecting

to actual mining in the Reserve. After its proposal was

rejected in 1998, UCIL shifted the project to the buffer zone

of the Reserve, following which approval was, reportedly,

granted by a high level committee.

UCIL is setting up a 1,250 tonnes a day capacity

uranium ore mining unit (Rs. 91 crores) and a processing

unit (Rs. 315 crores). The company has promised to take

steps to minimize the effect of mining in the buffer zone on

the fauna of the Reserve and also to carry out

‘compensatory afforestation’ to make up for 423.27 ha of

forest in the Yellapur reserve in the Nagarjunasagar Range.

The People’s War Group (PWG) too has said that it

will oppose the project. Protected Area Update No. 45:

October 2003. n

CHHARI DANDH LAKE (IBA site)

LIKELY TO BE DECLARED A

WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Gujarat State Wildlife Advisory Board is reported

to have suggested to the State Forest Department that

Chhari Dandh be declared a Wildlife Sanctuary. Charri

Dandh is a wetland spread over 50,00 ha in the Banni

g r a s s -

land in the State. There have been good rains in the Kutch

this year and water bodies including Chhari Dandh have

filled up completely for the first time in the last few years.

A large number of flamingos have been spotted in a

number of places include the Great Rann of Kutch, Surkha,

Naliya, Nakhatrana and Dhrangadhra. Protected Area

Update No. 45: October 2003. n

Public Interest Litigation filed to

save Loktak Lake (IBA site) in

ManipurA public Interest Litigation (PIL) to save the Loktak

lake and Keibul Lamjo National Park (IBA sites) was recently

filed before the Imphal Bench of the Guwahati High Court

by the Imphal based Environment Protection Committee.

It has bee pleaded in the PIL that the gates of Ithai

barrage be lifted for a period of five years, so that the phumdi

and silt can be removed from the Lake. It has also asked for

forming a ring bund on the periphery areas of the National

Park. In response to the pitition, a division bench of the

High Court had issued show cause notices returnable within

two months to the respondents.

Contact: Salaam Rajesh,

Sagolband Salam, Leikai. P.O. Imphal-1, Manipur

Telephone: 0385-222395


Mr. Manihar, Project Director, LDA


An integrated Rs. 179 crore, 10 year project to restore

the Wular lake has reportedly been formulated by the Jammu

and Kashmir Government. The features of the project and

measures required to conserve the water body in the valley

were discussed at a high level meeting held in August that

was attended by the Chief Minister of the State. Various

activities envisaged as part of the project include protection

of the Lake, correct land usage and flood control strategy, and

proper sewage disposal. The Chief Minister asked for the

prioritizing of the various components and stressed on the

need to explore possibilities for external funding in addition to

the funds that will be made available by the Central

Government. He also emphasized that the people of the

adjoining areas should be made aware about the objectives of

the Wular lake development project and should be involved

in it in a big way. He also ordered the Deputy Commissioner

concerned not to allow any plantation in and around the lake.

He said steps should also be taken to demarcate the area of

the Lake and asked the revenue, wildlife, environment and

other concerned agencies to work in a coordinated manner for

the purpose. Protected Area Update No. 45: October 2003.n

ADVOCACY...

WULAR LAKE (IBA SITE)

After having in July launched the search engine to

birding trip reports on the Internet, we have now presented

the next step of the web site, a database making it possible

for us birders to search for articles etc in back issues of

our birding magazines and journals. Too many magazines

are simply collecting dust on the shelf although they contain

a huge amount of valuable information.

We have indexed all articles, notes, letters, reviews

etc in some of the leading European and Scandinavian

birding magazines - like Alula, Birding World, Birdwatch,

British Birds, Dutch Birding, and those published by the

Swedish and Danish Ornithological Societies. You can

search this new database at our web-site.

http://www.eurobirding.com/

EUROPEAN BIRDING MAGAZINES

Ulrik and Christian Svane Denmark


The opening up of high altitude wetlands in the

Changthang region of Ladakh for tourism is reported to be

disturbing the extremely fragile ecosystem here. The

wetlands that are being affected include Tsokar, Pangong

Tso and Tsomoriri, the last of which is also a Ramsar site

and others are identified IBAs. Chanthang was opened up

for tourism in 1994, since then the number of visitors has

increased substantially. This is reportedly breaking down

the traditional management systems and affecting the local

communities and their cultures as well. There has also been

an increase in the number of trekker’s pack animals like

donkeys, mules and horses and this has started putting

pressure on the few pasture lands here as well.

Additionally, the latest move of the State Government

to settle Tibetan refugees in the area is adding to complexity

of the situation. The refugees have been given marshy

land for farming. This is playing havoc with the wetland

systems and also driving away the waterfowl that depends

on the marshes. These findings have been published in a

recent report of WWF-India report titled, ‘High Altitude

Wetlands of Ladakh: A Conservation Initiative’ (By IBCN

member). Protected Area Update No. 45: October 2003

A large number of Khair (Acacia catechu) trees in the

forests of Palamau has led to the creation of a flourishing

Katha manufacturing industry here and also a huge battle

between the Forest Department and the Mausits Community

Centre MCC. Large quantities of Katha are manufactured

here and then supplied to gutka and paan masala

manufacturers across the country.

The Katha industry here is reportedly controlled by

the MCC, which charges extortion money form the illegal

manufacturing units and their workers who are employed for

cutting the trees and making gutka. Even forest officials are

said to be scared to enter the forests here. In fact, seven

forest officers including DFOs, Forest rangers and Forest

Guards are on a hit list of the MCC.

Such is supposed to have been the extraction of the

Khair tree, that in the last few years it has completely vanished

from the buffer areas of the Park. Now the Katha making

operations have moved to the 132,00 ha core zone of the Tiger

Reserve. Source: Protected Area Update No. 45: October

2003

The Bombay High Court (HC) recently directed the

removal of all existing encroachments in the Sanjay Gandhi

National Park within six months. It has also directed the

State to relocate the 33,000-odd slum dwellers who have

been living on Park land prior to 1995 in accordance with an

earlier HC directive and the state slum rehabilitation policy.

Eligible slum dwellers have to pay Rs. 7,000 for the relocation.

The Court then stayed the implementation of the orders for

eight weeks to enable the affected party to appeal to the

Supreme Court.

The order was passed in a public interest litigation

that has been filed by the Bombay Environmental Action

Group (BEAG). The State government had already

demolished about 49,000 illegal hutments in the Park between

1997 and 2000 but 12,000-odd illegal structures are still

remaining.

Disposing of 37-odd petitions on the issue, the

judges said as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and

Forest Laws, the encroachers have no right to continue to

reside in the Park.

The Court also dismissed a petition by the Shramik

Mukti Andolan seeking permanent injunction against eviction

of the Park’s original 2,500 adivasis (tribals). In this matter the

Court relied on DCF Mr. A. R. Bharti’s report that all of the

Park’s original tribals had been shifted to Palghar in the 1980s.

The Court was of the opinion that the adivasis had not been

able to prove that they are the original inhabitants. Source:

Protected Area Update No. 45: October 2003.

ADVOCACY...

KATHA MANUFACTURE THREATENS PALAMAU TIGER RESERVE (IBA SITE)

HIGH COURT ORDERS REMOVAL OF ENCROACHMENTS FROM

SANJAY GANDHI NATIONAL PARK (IBA SITE)

TOURISM ADVERSELY IMPACTING WETLANDS IN LADAKH

PIC

S: Z

AF

AR

-UL IS

LA

MMISTNET Vol. 4 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 200326

STRONGER PUNISHMENT AGAINST POACHERS IN

NONGKHYLLEM WLS (IBA SITE) IN MEGHALAYA

EXTINCTION THREAT IS REAL!

ADVOCACY...

One in eight of the world’s birds faces extinction. A terrible 1,200 bird species – perhaps more – are in real danger of

becoming extinct in the next 100 years.

SPECIES YEAR LOCALITY

Guadalupe Caracara 1900 Guadal u-pe

New Zealand Little Bittern, 1900 New Zealand

Chatham Islands Rail 1900 Chatham Islands

Greater Amakih! 1901 Hawaii

Choiseul Pigeon 1904 Solomon Island

Auckland Islands Merganser 1906 New Zealand

Black Mamo 17 Hawaii

Huia 1907 New Zealand

Slender-billed Grackle 1910 Mexico

Carolina Parakeet 1914 North America

Laughing Owl 1914 New Zealand

Lord Howe Gerygone 1920 Lord Howe Island,

Red-moustached Fruit-dove 1922 Marguesas Islands

Norfolk Island Starling 1925 Norfolk Island

Paradise Parrot 1927 Australia

Bonin Tlirush 1928 Bonin Island

Robust White-eye 1928 Lord Howe Island

Hawaii Uo 1934 Hawaii

Ryukyu Pigeon 1936 Ryukyuls.

Grand Cayman Thrush 1938 Cayman Is.

Javanese Lapwing 1940 Java

Laysan Crake 1944 Hawaii

Wake Island Rail 1945 Wake Is.

Glaucous Macaw 1965 South America

Piopio. 1955 New Zealand

Kakawahie 1963 Hawaii

Akialoa 1967. Hawaii

Canary Islands Oystercatcher 1968 Canary Is.

Bush Wren 1972 New Zealand

Bar-winged Rail 1973 Fiji

Colombian Grebe 1977 Colombia

Guam Bridled White-eye 1984 Guam

Guam Flycatcher 1984 Guam

Aldabra Warbler 1986 Aldabra

Atitlan Grebe 1987 Guatemala

Indian species supposed to be extinct

Pink-headed Duck 1935

Mountain Quail 1876

A Shillong based NGO, The Wilderness Concern,

along with the Eastern Ri Bhoi Wildlife and Forest Protection

Association and Sordars and Rangbah Shnongs of the

villages of the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary have urged

wildlife authorities to mete out stronger punishment to

poachers and other miscreants who are involved in wildlife

crime.

Recently, in fact, miscreants accused of dynamiting

fishes near Nonkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary were fined Rs.

30,000 by the concerned authorities.


THE BIRTH OF SIX WHITE-WINGED DUCK (Globally Threatened Species)

It is not often that the birth of a

duck makes the news, but today

conservationists were crowing - or

should that be quacking? - the birth

of six white-winged wood ducks born

to parents released into the wild as

part of a programme to save the rare

ducks from extinction.

The young ducks were

discovered living by a swamp in the

vicinity of the Huay Kha Khaeng

wildlife conservation area in Uthai

Thani Province, close to where they

were originally released.

The National Park, Wildlife and

Park Conservation Department hailed

the discovery as evidence of the

success of the white-winged Duck

conservation programme, a joint

operation between the Office of

WORLD PARKS CONGRESS 8-17 SEPTEMBER 2003 IN DURBAN,

SOUTH AFRICA

The IUCN World Congress on Protected Areas, or

IUCN World Parks Congress as it has become known, is a

10 yearly event, which provides the major global forum for

setting the agenda for protected areas (PAs).

The Congress was a major international event. It

offered a unique opportunity to take stock of protected

areas; provide an honest appraisal of progress and setbacks;

and chart the course for protected areas over the next decade

and beyond. The 5th IUCN World Parks Congress was

held in Durban from 8 to 17 September 2003, where it was

discussed how protected areas including IBAs are relevant

to the broader economic, social and environmental agenda

for humankind in the 21st Century with the theme of the

Congress “Benefits Beyond Boundaries”. The World

Congress was attended by a large contingent from BirdLife

International and four IBCN members including Dr.

Anwaruddin Choudhury (State Coordinator of North Eastern

States).

DEEPAR BEEL (IBA SITE) VENUE FOR WATER SPORTS !

The demand of adventure sports in Assam has been

growing very fast. An advertisement about a mountaineer-

ing expedition programme is enough to pull 400 to 500 kids

to the Stadium office for participation. But, because of lack

of infrastructure and sufficient equipment, most of the kids

do not get the opportunity to participate in such

programmes. According to Mr Ajit Kumar Kalita, Senior

Working Instructor, Directorate of Sports, Assam, water

sports and mountaineering are the upcoming fields where

children from Assam can prove their potential.

An action plan has been chalked out by the State

Government for the development of infrastructure and train-

ing of the aquatic sports like rowing, kayaking and canoe-

ing. The Kamrup (Metro) DC and the president of the Row-

ing Association AK Absar Hazarika said that the develop-

mental works in this regard will commence from September.

As per the Rowing Association the Deepar Beel has been

finalized as the venue for rowing, kayaking and canoeing in

the forthcoming National Games, 2005. The Government,

however, is expected to meet with the growing demands of

adventure sports and a budget has been prepared for

this.

ADVOCACY...


Wildlife Conservation and Sue Sakorn Co. Ltd. Under the

programme, 25 White Winged Duck living in captivity were

trained in finding their own food and released into the wild

on 26 August two year’s ago in a bid to ensure the

conservation of the ducks in their natural environment. It is

hoped that the programme will serve to increase the

population of the rare ducks in Thailand’s forests. Hope to

have the similar programme in India for this unique bird.

13. Maharashtra

Mr. Bishwarup Raha

Hemant Vihar, 13, Savarkar Nagar

Off. Gangapur Road, Nashik–422005, Maharashtra,


14. Orissa

Mr. Biswajit Mohanty

Wildlife Society of Orissa

“Shantikunj”, Link Road, Cuttack- 753 012

Orissa. Email: [email protected]

15. Pondicherry:

Dr. Priya Davidar

School of Ecology & Environmental Sciences Pondicherry

University, Kalapet, Pondicherry , Email:

[email protected]

16. Rajasthan

Mr. Manoj Kulshreshtha

Snehdeep, B-33, Sethi Colony

Jaipur, Rajasthan


17. Sikkim

Ms. Usha Ganguli-Lachungpa

Sr. Research Officer (WL)

Government of Sikkim

Department of Forest, Environment & Wildlife

Deorali-737 102, Gangtok, Sikkim


18. Tamil Nadu

1. Mr. P. Pramod

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History

(SACON), Anaikatty PO, Coimbatore-641 108,

TN Email: [email protected]

2. Dr. V. Santharam

C/o Institute of Bird Studies & Natural History

Rishi Valley Education Centre, Chittor – 517 352

Andhra Pradesh Email:[email protected]

19. Uttar Pradesh (West and East)

1. Prof. H. S. A. Yahya (Western UP)

Department of Wildlife Sciences

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202 002


2. Dr. Vijay Pratap Singh (Eastern UP)

Jaidev Nagar (Rajgarh), Lakhimpur Kheri

UP- 262 701 Email: [email protected]

20. Uttaranchal

Dr. Bivash Pandav

c/o Wildlife Institute of India

P.O. Box 18, Chandrabani

Dehra Dun 2480 01, Uttaranchal


21. West Bengal

Mr. Kushal Mookherjee

Asstt. Secretary, Prakriti Samsad

65, Golf Club Road,

Calcutta-700 033


22. North-East State

Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury

C/o Mr Alauddin Choudhury,

Near Gate No.1 of Nehru Stadium, Islampur Road,

Guwahati 781 007, Email: [email protected]

1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Dr. Lalitha Vijayan

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History

(SACON), Anaikatty PO, Coimbatore-641 108

Tamil Nadu. Email: [email protected]

2. Andhra Pradesh

Ms. Kalyani Kandula

H. No. 161, BHEL HIG Phase II

Madinaguda, Near Miyapur

Hyderabad-500 050


3. Assam

Mr. Mohd. Firoz Ahmed

“Evergreen”, Samanwoy Path (Survey)

Beltola, Guwahati-781028, Assam


4. Bihar and Jharkhand

Mr. Arvind Mishra

Mandar Nature Club

Anand Chikitsalaya Road

Bhagalpur, Bihar


5. Delhi

Mr. Nikhil Devasar

Delhi Bird Club

N-50, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi

Email: [email protected], [email protected],

6. Jammu & Kashmir

Dr. Rahul Kaul

WPA Coordinator, South Asia Regional

S-56/1 DLF Phase III

Gurgaon- 122 002, Haryana


7. Gujarat

Mr. Lavkumar Khacher

14, Jayant Society

Rajkot- 360 004 Gujarat

8. Haryana and Punjab

Dr. Rajiv Kalsi

Department of Zoology

MLN College, Yamuna Nagar 1350 01, Haryana.


9. Himachal Pradesh

Mr. Sanjeeva Pandey

Director, Great Himalayan National Park

At-Shamshi- 175 125

Kullu, Himachal Pradesh


10. Karnataka

Dr. S. Subramanya

PHT Scheme, J Block

GKVK Campus

University Of Agricultural Sciences,

Banglore, Karnataka- 560 065


11. Kerala

Mr. P. O. Nameer

Asst. Professor, College of Forestry

Kerala Agricultural University (KAU)

KAU (PO) 680 656

Thrissur, Kerala Email: trc_ [email protected]

12. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh

Mr. Arun M. K. Bharos

B-101 Gayatrinagar, PO Shankar Nagar

Raipur-492 007, Chhattisgarh


STATE COORDINATORS OF IBCN...

MISTNET Vol. 4 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec2003 29

30 MISTNET Vol. 4 No. 3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2003

IBA DAY IN FEBRUARY 2004

Many of the IBCN partners want to organize and

celebrate the IBA Day in February 2004. On the IBA Day,

IBCN partners will be conducting the birdwatching on

any of the IBA sites inviting general public, school and

college students to make them aware of the bird

conservation and IBAs. It is requested that all the

participants kindly send the bird information to the Project

Manager IBA-IBCN.


70 organisations are partners of IBCN but all do not have logos

GEER

Manipur

Alipurduar, WB

Nasik, MH

INTACH, Jharkhand

Coorg, Kar.

Kokrajhar, Assam

Siliguri, WB

Bhagalpur, Bihar

Chhattisgarh

Dhubri, Assam

Guwahati, Assam

Gujarat

Kolkata, WB

Cuttack, Orissa

Hyderabad, AP

Trivandrum, Ke. Delhi and

Assam

Mysore, Kar.

NCF

Surat, Gujarat

Gurgaon

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Bhubaneswar

Malda, WB

NATURE’S FOSTER

Tamil Nadu

IBCN ORGANISATIONAL PARTNERSHIP...

The IBA programme will produce inventories of internationally recognised sites vital for the conservation of birds.

These sites will be identified using a set of four standard global criteria: (a) presence of globally threatened species (b)

restricted range or endemic birds, (c) biome restricted assemblages and (d) sites having large congregations of birds.

These criteria are designed by BirdLife International to select representative areas of the most important bird habitats,

particularly those which are under the most severe pressure. Given that birds are good indicators of overall biological

diversity, most IBAs will be important for other species as well.

What is the IBCN: It is a Network of Indian organisations and individuals who have agreed to collaborate to promote

the conservation of birds in India and through them, the conservation of biological diversity as a whole. IBCN is one

of the leading membership networks of India, with more than 700 individuals and 70 organizations as members. It

publishes a quarterly newsletter ‘Mistnet’ for its members.

IBCN Membership: Join and become important links in the IBCN. Annual membership fee is Rs. 100/- payable through

Demand Draft in favour of ‘Bombay Natural History Society’, in case of outstation cheques add Rs. 40/-.

Kindly contact for membership form

Zafar-ul Islam, Projects Manager, IBA-IBCN, Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, SB Singh Road,

Mumbai 400 023, India. Email: [email protected] Website <www.ibcnetwork.org>

Arulagam, TN

Rishi Valley, AP

Udaipur

Ratnagiri

Siliguri, WB

32 MISTNET Vol. 4 No.3 & 4 Jul-Dec 2003

Megamix,

Nature Club

AMU, Aligarh

Nature Conservation Society

Ahmednagar

Wild OrissaPeople for Animals

MorenaGreen Guard

Nagaon, Assam

Assam

Nagpur

Envirosearch,

Pune, MH

Gangtok, Sikkim

Bangalore

Rishibhoome: Pravuttya,

Gujarat

Ela Foundation,

Pune

Chennai

2003-july-dec

Documents

Transcript of 2003-july-dec