Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | What causes critically low numbers of White-bellied Heron: changes in habitat characteristics and/or associated evolutionary traits? |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Gopinathan Maheswaran, Zoological survey Of India, West Bengal |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | gmaheswaran@yahoo.com |
Equipments : | satellite Phone
sony Camera |
Details
Executive Summary : | White-bellied heron Ardea insignis is one of the most threatened bird species in Asia and also the least studied species among Ciconiiformes. since 2007, the species has been categorized as âCritically Endangered' by the BirdLife International and due to this it is advocating for more research especially on the ecology and behaviour from range countries. The present global population is estimated to be less than 60 individuals and India has as low as 10 individuals. Over the last century, the species has shifted its base from the suitable locations in northern West Bengal, sikkim and western Assam to extreme eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Accordingly, the species has also lost 59% of its prime habitats across 12,139 km2 during the last century. How far the present known locations inside Namdapha Tiger Reserve will continue to support the species to be studied as this will reveal crucial information about the long-term survival of the species in India. Namdapha being situated in the extreme south eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh brodering Myanmar is considered as the stronghold of the species in India. Any disturbance to this habitat will ultimately push the species either further north within India or towards east into Myanmar. In May, 2021, a pair has been reported nesting further north of Namdapha in Walong, Arunachal Pradesh raising hopes of conservationists as this is the known second nesting incident for the species from India. However, the pair abandoned the nesting midway resulting in failure. Furthermore, no information of any successful nesting of the species has come from anywhere in India including Namdapha though two pairs were seen nesting in in 2013 and 2014, respectively, but final outcome remains unknown. What are the reasons behind unsuccessful nesting incidents in India and probably elsewhere (Bhutan-another known region across Asia where the species breeds) remains to be studied. Whether the species is getting sufficient food from the fast-flowing rivers of Nao-Dihing inside Namdapha or from neighbouring Lohit River also to be studied. Or else the possible parental infanticide, potential sexual conflict, long incubation periods results in failures as reported in Bhutan (Acharja et al., 2021) may have contributed for this low numbers. However, nothing is known about these aspects and their possible effects on the population of White-bellied Herons in India. Therefore, the project will address the ecology of the species apart from any other reasons as known locations (Namdapha and Walong areas in Arunachal Pradesh) of the species in India are far off from locations in Bhutan. |
Total Budget (INR): | 40,57,120 |
Organizations involved