Environment and Ecology — Wetlands in News (Part III)
1. Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries
Context: Designated as Bird Sanctuaries in 1984.
- Location: Jhajha forest range, Jamui district, Bihar.
- Nature: Human-made wetlands developed for irrigation via Nakti Dam.
- Endangered Species: Indian Elephant
- Vulnerable Species: Native Catfish (Wallago attu)
- Catchment Area: Dry deciduous forest surrounded by hills.
- Migratory Birds: Wintering habitat for 20,000+ birds, including Red-crested Pochards (one of the largest congregations in Indo-Gangetic plains).
Key Point: Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries in Bihar are human-made wetlands supporting 20,000+ migratory birds, including one of the largest congregations of Red-crested Pochards in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
2. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
- Location: Karnataka.
- Type: Human-made village irrigation tank.
- Significance: Supports >1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork & Black-headed Ibis.
3. Aghanashini Estuary
- Location: Karnataka. Formed at the confluence of Aghanashini River with the Arabian Sea.
- Supports traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields (locally known as Gazni rice fields).
- Supports over 1% of the biogeographic population of 15 waterbird species.
4. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
- Location: Human-made wetland in Karnataka.
- Species: Harbours two vulnerable species — Common pochard and River tern.
- Four near-threatened species: Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Woolly-necked Stork, Painted Stork.
- One of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose in Southern India.
- Designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
5. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
- Location: One of the largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu.
- Fauna: Bar-headed Goose, Pin-tailed duck, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, Common teal, Cotton teal.
6. The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
- Location: Tamil Nadu.
- Flora and Fauna: Serves as habitats for:
- Globally endangered — Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush
- Globally endangered — Nilgiri Blue Robin
- Vulnerable — Nilgiri Wood-pigeon
7. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Nanjarayan Lake — a large shallow wetland in the northeastern Uthukuli Taluk of Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.
- Biodiversity:
- 191 bird species
- 87 butterfly species
- 7 amphibian species
- 21 reptile species
- 11 small mammal species
- 77 plant species
- Notable Species: Bar-headed Goose, Northern Shoveler, Juvenile Spot-billed Pelican, and Heronry.
8. The Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Kazhuveli is a brackish shallow lake on the Coromandel Coast, Villupuram district, north of Pondicherry.
- Connected to the Bay of Bengal via Uppukalli Creek and Edayanthittu Estuary.
- Significance: One of the largest and most biodiversity-rich wetlands in peninsular India.
- Notable Species: Eurasian Coot, Painted Stork, Greater Flamingo, Black-headed Ibis.
9. The Tawa Reservoir
- Location: Near Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, at the confluence of the Tawa and Denwa rivers.
- Major tributaries: Malani, Sonbhadra, and Nagdwari rivers.
- Lies inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve, forming the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Flora & Fauna: Home to rare and endangered species of plants, reptiles, insects, and serves as a vital habitat for local and migratory birds.
- Notable Species: Spotted Deer, Painted Stork.
10. Hokersar Wetland
- Location: Kashmir Valley.
- Nickname: 'Queen Wetland of Kashmir'.
- Unique Feature: Last reedbeds of Kashmir, crucial for bird habitats.
- Significance: Key migratory bird pathway, hosting 68 waterfowl species (e.g., Cormorants, Common Shelducks, Large Egrets, Great Crested Grebes).
- Migratory Birds: From Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Europe.
- Other Role: Acts as a breeding, feeding & nursery habitat for fish.
Key Point: Hokersar Wetland is known as the 'Queen Wetland of Kashmir' and hosts 68 waterfowl species migrating from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Europe.
11. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu.
- Nature: Irrigation tank storing water for agriculture.
- Recharge: Northeast monsoon (Oct-Jan).
- Flyway: Lies along the Central Asian Flyway.
- Key Birds: Spot-billed Pelican, Egret, Common Myna, Grey Heron.
12. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary
- Location: Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu.
- Importance: Critical breeding & foraging ground.
- Key Birds: White-breasted Kingfisher, Spot-billed Pelican, Brahminy Kite.
13. Khecheopalri Wetland
- Original Name: Kha-Chot-Palri (Heaven of Padmasambhava).
- Location: Near Khecheopalri village, West Sikkim.
- Sacred: Wish-fulfilling lake for Buddhists & Hindus.
- Local Name: Sho Dzo Sho (Oh Lady, Sit Here).
- Drainage: Ramam watershed (from Ramam mountain).
14. Udhwa Lake
- Location: Sahibganj district, on the Ganga floodplain.
- Composition: Two lakes — Patauda & Berhale, connected by a channel.
- Significance: Important Bird Area (IBA) for avian habitat conservation.
15. Summary: Wetlands at a Glance (Part III)
| Wetland | Location | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Nagi & Nakti Bird Sanctuaries | Jamui, Bihar | 20,000+ migratory birds; Red-crested Pochards |
| Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve | Karnataka | Painted Stork; Black-headed Ibis (>1% population) |
| Aghanashini Estuary | Karnataka | Gazni rice fields; 15 waterbird species |
| Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve | Karnataka | Bar-headed goose wintering ground; IBA |
| Longwood Shola Reserve Forest | Tamil Nadu | Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush; Nilgiri Blue Robin |
| Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary | Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu | 191 bird species; Bar-headed Goose |
| Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary | Villupuram, Tamil Nadu | Brackish lake; Coromandel Coast; Greater Flamingo |
| Tawa Reservoir | Madhya Pradesh | Satpura Tiger Reserve; Tawa & Denwa rivers |
| Hokersar Wetland | Kashmir Valley | 'Queen Wetland of Kashmir'; 68 waterfowl species |
| Khecheopalri Wetland | West Sikkim | Sacred lake; 'Sho Dzo Sho'; Ramam watershed |
| Udhwa Lake | Sahibganj, Bihar | Two lakes (Patauda & Berhale); IBA |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Nagi & Nakti (Bihar): Human-made wetlands; 20,000+ migratory birds; Red-crested Pochards
- Ankasamudra (Karnataka): >1% population of Painted Stork & Black-headed Ibis
- Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka): Gazni rice fields; 15 waterbird species
- Magadi Kere (Karnataka): Largest wintering ground for Bar-headed goose in South India; IBA
- Longwood Shola (Tamil Nadu): Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush; Nilgiri Blue Robin
- Nanjarayan (Tamil Nadu): 191 bird species; Bar-headed Goose
- Kazhuveli (Tamil Nadu): Brackish lake; Coromandel Coast; Greater Flamingo
- Tawa Reservoir (MP): Satpura Tiger Reserve; Tawa & Denwa rivers
- Hokersar (Kashmir): 'Queen Wetland of Kashmir'; 68 waterfowl species from Siberia, China, Central Asia
- Khecheopalri (Sikkim): Sacred wish-fulfilling lake; 'Sho Dzo Sho'
- Udhwa Lake (Bihar): Two lakes (Patauda & Berhale); IBA
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Wetlands in News — Part III)
Q1. Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries are located in which state?
Correct Answer: C. Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries are located in the Jhajha forest range, Jamui district, Bihar. They were designated as Bird Sanctuaries in 1984.
Q2. Which wetland is known as the 'Queen Wetland of Kashmir'?
Correct Answer: B. Hokersar Wetland in the Kashmir Valley is known as the 'Queen Wetland of Kashmir'. It hosts 68 waterfowl species migrating from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Europe.
Q3. Which wetland is a sacred 'wish-fulfilling lake' for Buddhists and Hindus in Sikkim?
Correct Answer: C. Khecheopalri Wetland in West Sikkim is a sacred 'wish-fulfilling lake' for Buddhists and Hindus. Its original name is Kha-Chot-Palri (Heaven of Padmasambhava).
Q4. Which wetland is one of the largest wintering grounds for Bar-headed goose in Southern India?
Correct Answer: B. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve in Karnataka is one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose in Southern India and is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Q5. The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest is located in which state?
Correct Answer: C. The Longwood Shola Reserve Forest is situated in Tamil Nadu. It serves as habitat for the globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin, and vulnerable Nilgiri Wood-pigeon.
Q6. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is located on which coast?
Correct Answer: C. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is a brackish shallow lake on the Coromandel Coast in Villupuram district, north of Pondicherry. It is connected to the Bay of Bengal via Uppukalli Creek and Edayanthittu Estuary.
Q7. Which of the following is NOT a species found in Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve?
Correct Answer: C. Greater Flamingo is NOT found in Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve. The reserve harbours Common Pochard, River Tern, Oriental Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Woolly-necked Stork, and Painted Stork.
Q8. The Tawa Reservoir lies inside which Tiger Reserve?
Correct Answer: C. The Tawa Reservoir lies inside the Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, forming the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.
Q9. Udhwa Lake in Bihar consists of which two lakes?
Correct Answer: A. Udhwa Lake in Sahibganj district, Bihar, consists of two lakes — Patauda and Berhale — connected by a channel. It is an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Q10. Which wetland supports traditional fish farming in estuarine rice fields locally known as 'Gazni rice fields'?
Correct Answer: B. Aghanashini Estuary in Karnataka supports traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields locally known as 'Gazni rice fields'. It also supports over 1% of the biogeographic population of 15 waterbird species.