Jalaplavit_13(1)_FEB MAR_2023

World Wildlife Day-2023 JalaplavitISSN 2321-1881 Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation Appreciating wetlands Vol.13. No.1 Feb-Mar 2023 World Wetlands Day-2023: It’s Time for Wetland Restoration! Herpetofauna Diversity of Myristica Swamps The Mangrove Monkey A Visit to Hortobágy National Park Whiskered Tern in Nalsarovar Ramsar Site Wetland Birds of Salem Bangalore Wetlands [Grab your reader’s attention with aMgraeagtuqruioit-e Mfroomttahpe udoncgu,mAentWoreutsleatnhids sipnacAe tsoseammphasize a key point. To place this text box anywhere on the page, just drag it.]

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Jalaplavit, Vol. 13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Editorial Dr. Ketan Tatu……………………………………………………......................3 Herpetofauna Diversity of Myristica Swamps in the Western Ghats Priya Ranganathan…………………………………………………………….4 A Visit to Hortobágy National Park- An Ecological Take K. Kaushik ……………………………………………………............................9 Record of Successful Breeding of Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar Site), Gujarat, India Rajni Trivedi and P.S. Thakker .......................................................................16 Founding Editor: Dr. Ketan Tatu The Mangrove Monkey: A Brief Natural History of the Nicobar Long- tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosa) Associate Editor: Dr. Amita Tatu Priya Ranganathan……………………………………………………………20 Core Team Loss of Urban Wetlands and Urban Flooding in Bengaluru Avik Banerjee ....................................................................................................25 Honorary Directors, Foundation for Ecological Welfare (a not-for-profit Foundation under Community based Conservation Endeavour of Maguri-Motapung-A Wetland in Assam, Northeast India section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 of India) Kunal Chanda.....................................................................................................31 Hon. Principal Technical Advisor Artificially Dug Sand Quarry Transformed into an Abode of Wetland Birds in Salem, Tamil Nadu Prof. James T. Anderson, Director, James C. Anisha Padur Sankaranarayanan, Sangavi Dhanapal, Mehabharathi Kennedy Waterfowl & Wetlands Centre, Clemson Senthilkumar and Thiruchenthil Nathan Parthasarathy………………...36 University, South Carolina, USA Periyar Lake: Where Wildlife and Communities Thrive J. Patrick David….............................................................................................41 Front cover: A Suburban Lake Waiting for Ramsar Sites of Northeast India Restoration (Ahmedabad, Gujarat) Swarnali Das………………………………….................................................46 (Picture: Ketan Tatu) Waterbird Picture Gallery Jay Pandya………………………………………………………………….….53 Views expressed by the contributors in ‘Jalaplavit’ are not necessarily those of editors. Editors are not responsible for any kind of plagiarism by any author.

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No. 1, Feb.-Mar. 2023 EDITORIAL It’s Time for Restoring Wetlands and Partnership for Wetland Wildlife Conservation Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) wishes The global themes for these two days for the year 2023, in my opinion, are interrelated and its every reader and author a happy World supplementary! By combining the two themes, I Wildlife Day-2023(3rd March) and a happy would like to appeal to all the readers “It’s time World Wetlands Day-2023(2nd Feb.) through this for wetland restoration, and working in Feb.-March issue! Actually, it was my routine partnership for wetland wildlife cKoentsaenrvTaattiuon! way of saying “happy wildlife/wetlands day”, but in actuality, it might be misnomer to say “happy” Nature had bestowed “our” blue planet as both, wetlands and their wildlife are more or with numerous inland and coastal wetlands and less in sorry state all over the world. they were thriving with very rich aquatic, semi- aquatic and terrestrial wildlife! But the human Anyways, the months of February and society, in its fast-paced race of technological March are “auspicious” for the wetland and development, has been taking massive toll of both wildlife enthusiasts/well-wishers. This is because wetlands and their wildlife! Should it not stop for in the first week of each of these months, the two our society’s own welfare? international days are observed across the Globe. - Ketan Tatu 3

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Herpetofauna Diversity of Myristica Swamps in the Western Ghats Priya Ranganathan Email: [email protected] The Western Ghats is one of the Pradeep Hegde world’s hottest biodiversity hotspots, undiscovered until the turn of the 21st known for its mosaic of ecosystems, Century (2001-2015), and recent each teeming with life. These diverse discoveries suggest that diversity may ecosystems provide refuge for multiple be higher than currently estimated taxa of flora and fauna. Indeed, this (Biju et al. 2014). Between 2006-2015, hotspot is known for exceptionally high 103 new amphibian species were diversity and endemism (species found described from the Western Ghats only in this ecoregion), with at least 325 alone (Frost, 2016). globally threatened species (IUCN Red List species) occurring in the Western One of the least explored Ghats. ecosystems within the Western Ghats is the Myristica swamp, a type of wet Scientists have thus far evergreen swamp forest listed as category 4C/FSI Tropical Freshwater discovered 225 species of amphibians Swamp Forests (Champion and Seth, 1968). Myristica swamps are unique to in the Western Ghats, with over 92% the Western Ghats, harbouring a veritable museum of relic, endemic endemicity (Frost, 2016). Most 4 amphibian species remained

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 species found nowhere else few unique amphibians found in (Ranganathan et al., 2021). Their swamps: perennially waterlogged soils, high Mercurana myristicapalustris organic matter deposits and the presence of sluggish streams flowing The Myristica swamp tree frog through them make swamps an ideal (Family: Rhacophoridae) was breeding ground and habitat for some discovered in the Myristica swamps of of the most sensitive and rare taxa of Kulathupuzha Reserve Forest, Kerala, wildlife. This report looks at the which is currently the extent of its diversity of herpetofauna (amphibians known range. Three type species were and reptiles) in Myristica swamps of first discovered in swamps by Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, and Abraham et al. (2013), M. Maharashtra. myristicapalustris breeds in the pre- monsoon season and deposit eggs in Amphibian Diversity of Swamps burrows in the soil. Tadpoles are entirely aquatic, unlike adults. A study from Myristica swamps in three wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala David V Raju/Wiki Commons documented 56 species of amphibians from 15 genera and five families (Jose et Micrixalus kottigeharensis al. 2014). The researchers found a 56% Frogs of the genus Micrixalus are similarity in species composition inside and outside swamp forest, indicating commonly known as ‘dancing frogs’ that Myristica swamps are hotbeds of due to the unique foot flagging amphibian diversity even within the behaviour displayed during the mating larger biodiversity hotspot. season. Male frogs call from rocks in the Some amphibian species are swamp specialists, found only in Myristica swamps and their adjacent waterbodies. Below are the profiles of a 5

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 swampy streams and display their to 35 (Garg et al., 2017). In 2014, white vocal sacs while simultaneously Gururaja et al. discovered N. kumbara, a tapping and extending a hind leg, species found only in perennial streams shaking it vigorously to attract the of Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga attention of prospective females. districts, Karnataka, making it highly Mating takes place in the stream, and specialized and vulnerable to habitat eggs are laid in the coarse streambed. A loss. relic taxon, Micrixalus sp. evolved along with their swampy landscape India Biodiversity Portal nearly 85 million years ago. Dancing frogs are critically in need of Reptilian Diversity of Myristica conservation interventions, as seven Swamps species within the genus are found entirely in swamps outside of protected Studies have recorded 21 reptile areas in India. species from swamps, including 13 snake species. Two species of reptiles, Rohan Sharma the Malabar pit viper (Trimersurus malabaricus) and Gunther’s supple Nyctibatrachus spp. skink (Lygosoma guentheri) are endemic The night frogs are endemic to to the Western Ghats. Below are short descriptions of three fascinating the Western Ghats. These frogs reptiles found in swamps. received their name due to their Trimersurus malabaricus nocturnal behaviour and dark colouration. They reside in streams in The nocturnal Malabar pit viper hilly regions of the Western Ghats, and is a venomous snake found in the wet studies as recent as 2017 have evergreen forests of the Western Ghats. discovered new species within the A frequent sight in Myristica swamps, genus, bringing the total species count this snake feeds on birds, frogs, lizards, 6

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 and small mammals. Typically, it can Draco dussumieri be sighted basking on the knee roots of The Indian flying lizard is a Myristica fatua trees, where it is above the water level and within striking species of agamid lizard found distance of prey. primarily in the Western Ghats of India. Nearly entirely arboreal, they Rohan Sharma glide from tree to tree by inflating the patagium (loose skin on the sides of the Hypnale hypnale body supported by ribs). The species is The hump-nosed pit viper is highly diurnal and is found both in forests and in adjacent plantations endemic to India and Sri Lanka, (arecanut and coconut). primarily in the dense forests and coffee plantations of the hills. This Ajith U. snake is active in the early morning and night, spending the day in dense leaf Conclusion litter and basking during the early Herpatofauna diversity in morning by streams. While slow- moving, it is capable of fast strikes and Myristica swamps is high and many is known to be aggressive when species are being discovered even disturbed. today, indicating a wealth of endemic richness to be found in these relic Ryan Satish ecosystems. This puts Myristica swamps on the map as one of the richest vaults of biodiversity within the Western Ghats and helps strengthen the case for their protection. Major threats to swamps include conversion to plantations and diversion of streams 7

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 through swamps for domestic and Chandran, M. S., Rao, G. R., Gururaja, K. V., & Ramachandra, T. V. (2010). Ecology of the agricultural water use upstream . swampy relic forests of Kathalekan from central Western Ghats, India. Bioremediation, Given the importance of perennial Biodiversity and Bioavailability, 4(1), 54-68. Frost DR. (2016). Amphibian species of the flowing water to the existence of world: an online reference. Version 6.0. American Museum of Natural History; New swamps, such activities are bound to York: 2016. impact species that rely on swamps as Garg, S., Suyesh, R., Sukesan, S., & Biju, S. D. (2017). Seven new species of Night Frogs breeding grounds and habitat, (Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot of India, with especially sensitive taxa such as remarkably high diversity of diminutive forms. PeerJ, 5, e3007. amphibians and reptiles. Gururaja, K. V., Dinesh, K. P., Priti, H., & References Ravikanth, G. (2014). Mud-packing frog: a Abraham, R. K., Mathew, J. K., Raju, D. V., Rao, R., & Zachariah, A. (2018). Reproduction and novel breeding behaviour and parental care in metamorphosis in the Myristica Swamp tree frog, Mercurana myristicapalustris (Anura: a stream dwelling new species of Rhacophoridae). PeerJ, 6, e5934. Nyctibatrachus (Amphibia, Anura, Ali, S., Chandran, M. S., & Ramachandra, T. V. (2006). Faunal assemblages in myristica Nyctibatrachidae). Zootaxa, 3796(1), 33-61. swamps of central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India. In Proceedings of the Symposium on Jose, J., Ramachandran, K. K., Roby, T. J., & Environment Education & Ecosystem Nair, P. V. (2014). A preliminary checklist of Conservation. Indian Institute of Science, amphibians in and around the Myristica Bangalore. swamp forests of Kulathupuzha, South Western Ghats. Journal of Entomology and Biju SD, Garg S, Gururaja KV, Shouche Y, Zoology Studies, 2(1), 11-18. Walujkar SA. (2014). DNA barcoding reveals unprecedented diversity in Dancing Frogs of Ranganathan, P., Ravikanth, G., & Aravind, N. India (Micrixalidae, Micrixalus): a taxonomic A. (2021). A review of research and revision with description of 14 new species. conservation of Myristica swamps, a Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences); threatened freshwater swamp of the Western 43:37–123. Ghats, India. Wetlands Ecology and Management, 1-19. Champion, H. G., & Seth, S. K. (1968). A revised survey of the forest types of India. Manager of Willaert B, Suyesh R, Garg S, Giri VB, Bee MA, publications. Biju SD. (2016). A unique mating strategy without physical contact during fertilization in Bombay Night Frogs (Nyctibatrachus humayuni) with the description of a new form of amplexus and female call. PeerJ. 2016; 4:e2117. About the Author Priya Ranganathan is a PhD student at ATREE, Bengaluru studying the ecohydrology, biodiversity and ecosystem services of Myristica swamps. She is founder and editor of Youth For Nature e-magazine. Priya is an avid science writer with over 40 articles published in Indian media and international literary journals. 8

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 A Visit to Hortobágy National Park-An Ecological Take K. Kaushik Email: [email protected] Europe has been a continent of cultural, social, and political relevance for many past decades, and has emerged with a preemptive stance in wake of environmental concerns in recent years. Across the vast geographic landscape encompassing a myriad of ecosystems and landforms, there lies a beautiful, and biodiversity-rich region in the arms of the Carpathian basin i.e., the Republic of Hungary or Magyarország (the land of Magyar). Hungary flaunts two major river systems and a large freshwater lake along with other several protected areas. Being Hungary's largest protected area, the Hortobágy Figure 1 Who: Particepeints of 9th PhD Students meeting in Plant Ecology and Botany at Poroszlo on 25 September, 2022 with exursion guides in center of front row. Image: © Dr Balázs Deák 9

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 National Park (47°35′40″N 21°9′24″E) is the first to get this honour (established in 1973) and is popularly famed for the migration of Common/Eurasian cranes during the Figure 2 Start: 1st row (L -> R): The 800 km2 park is located at the eastern side of the country’s Alföld (Great Plain), and excursion followed the Szálkahalom Nature trail. 2nd row: Our dear guide Dr Balázs Deák elaborated the origin and significance of the most characteristic of the landscapes “the kurgans” interestingly while standing over one of it as vividly seen in the image itself. Images: Kaushik K, CC BY-SA 4.0 autumn season. Park is a part of the Hungarian Great Plain -i.e., the Alföld (in Hungarian). One can take a ride of ~180 km from Budapest or ~45 km from the nearest Debrecen city by car to reach here. In our case, it was like a post-conference ecological excursion of the 9th PhD Students Meeting in Plant Ecology and Botany at Poroszló on 25 September 2022 (Jointly organised by the Centre for Ecological Research-Institute of Ecology and Botany (CER-IEB), and Hungarian Ecological Society (HES)). Our guide for the day was - Dr Balázs Deák, who has profound knowledge and experience about the working and management of this National Park [see Figures 3 & 2]. Being one of the largest protected areas in the Republic of Hungary it adores the UNESCO world heritage site (since December 1999) and the Natura 2000 status of the European Union also. It was quite fascinating and enriching to visit this reserve with 10

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 fellow ecologists else I would have never understood the value and significance of this sparsely populated and largely flat plain with dotted trees here and there (literally as I felt seeing it the first time while driving through the reserve). The reserve hosts the largest continuous existence of inland alkaline grasslands in Europe, where the non-woodiness and mosaic-like system varies greatly for solonetz and solonchak soil types. Also applied, for vegetation structure, soil pH and salt content as Figure 5 Landmarks: Among iconic landmark of this Hungarian Puszta (steppe) area are ‘T’ shaped draw wells, and the one and only ‘nine-hole bridge’ of Hortobágy National Park built on Hortobágy river. Image courtesy: Andreas Poeschek, under CC BY-SA 4.0 Figure 5 Soil: Hortobágy is a designated (1979) Ramsar Wetlands site. During rainy season landscape is fully water saturated and might host few surficial floods, while rest of the seasons it could also face seasonal drought as of 2022. Images: Kaushik K & Dr Kovács Gábor, under CC BY-SA 4.0 well. The majority of the National Park area exists as a grassland steppe here. We started our excursion from the parking lot near Szálkahalom Nature Trail at Highway 33, and just at the opening of this area we had an approximately 20 feet high mound of soil called 11

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 “Kurgans (kunhalom – in Hungarian)”. This funerary burial mound is typical of both Eurasian and Nordic nomadic customs, and similarities of these structures with other geographic regions like the kurgans of the Great Russian steppes, prove that people Figure 6 Flora: Hortobágy is pretty much rich in floral diversity: 1st row (L -> R): a typical halophyte: Camphorosma annua (it was in bloom), pink flower is of Lithrum virgatum species which grows on North side of Kurgans. Next is Salvia nemrosa and Xanthium sp. 2nd row (L -> R): Lotus corniculatus, and Artemisia maritima (A. santonica). Next is Gypsophilla muralis, and last one is Phlomis tuberosa - Jerusalem sage inflorescence. Images: Kaushik K, CC BY-SA 4.0, and Hans Toetenel, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 NL have been living in these regions of the Hortobágy since the late Copper Age. Being the highest point of these flat lands, these were also used to act as watch-posts, border marking etc. by the early nomad settlers. Now, Kurgans are known for their rich socio- cultural, ecological and significant historical heritage values among the masses. As it used to build out of the surrounding topsoil, so a good amount of species richness can be seen with characteristic aspects variation as of hills or mountains. Therefore, usually acts as a 12

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 habitat island of biodiversity. [see Figure 2: Start] The area is largely managed by cattle grazing (mostly cows, then buffalos and sheep etc.). The most iconic glimpse near Hortobágy village is of the ‘Nine Hole Bridge’ finished in 1833, is the longest (167.3 meters) and the most beautiful stone bridge in the country. As per geographical accounts, it is argued that the reserve used to be an alluvial floodplain, while the current soil is predominantly alkaline in nature. ‘Solancsak’,- high clay element makes it more proven to waterlogging, though the area is mostly ombrotrophic and hosts few seasonal lakes and pond systems too. [see figures: Soils & Landmarks] Dominant species inhabiting these alkaline grassland vegetation types are Plantago schwarzenbergiana, Artemisia maritima (A. santonica) etc. The ponds and little lakes harbour species such as Phlomis tuberosa, Agropyron pectinatum etc. Among these many are loess grasslands specific types while others are the dominant species in humus deficit soils like Figure 7 Fauna: 1st row (L -> R): National Park is largely managed by grazing by Hungarian grey cattle and flocks of Racka sheep. 2nd row (L -> R): Area is inhabited and visited by Red footed falcon, common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and seasonal migratory bird like these common/Eurasian cranes (Grus grus). Images Courtesy: Martin Mecnarowski, CC BY-SA 4.0 & Zdenek Machacek/unsplash Achillea setacea, Artemisia maritima (A. santonica), Thalictrum minus, and Festuca pseudovina etc. In deep and wet surfaces Puccinellietum limosae, Pholiurus pannonicus and Plantago 13

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 tenuiflora dominate while Camphorosma annua etc. could be seen thriving on drier surfaces. [see figure5: Flora]Faunal diversity is comprised of Racka sheep, horses, cattle like Hungarian grey cows and water buffaloes etc., while in birds - Black-tailed godwit, lapwings, skylark (Alauda arvensis ), red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), and spotted crake (Porzana porzana) etc. are listed. And dragonflies along with seasonal migratory cranes, geese and ducks make up most of the avian fauna. We, as students and practitioners of Ecological Sciences what take-home notes we might carry with us, Let us explore via SWOT analysis i.e., Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Strength: Area is a protected National Park, with credible titles like UNESCO world heritage, Natura 2000 and Ramsar wetlands site designations. Weakness: regional desiccation (decrease in the groundwater table, which could lead to leeching of salts. Opportunities: sustainable use of the reserve’s resources can act as a model for eco-tourism, research, livestock rearing or agricultural activities. Threats: change in the climate regime, and weather extremes such as 2022 summer droughts might lead to water scarcity which consequently can push salinity down in soils. In a backdrop contrast, inhabitants of the capital city - Budapest might not be aware of this bustling abode. But one can easily find the reflections in cultural artworks or folklores of its vast heritage – i.e., Puszta and rich traditions of Csikós (iconic and typical mounted horse-herdsman), breeding of horses, sheep, and cows. I planned a few years back to visit but could only experience it via this excursion. Why should you visit? Well, in a time of enormous greenwashing by current capitalistic mongering if you dare to see the other side too, then I would highly recommend it. On a closing note: to understand the socio- economic and ecological perspectives of any piece of land, we must foresee and acknowledge that afforestation may not be the answer to all of our climate and carbon sequestration-related issues. “Kurgans are spread through the Eurasian steppe biome, and at this moment we are literally standing on someone’s grave”- Balázs Deák 14

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Acknowledgements: I am grateful to the organizers: Zoltán Botta-Dukát, Orsolya Valkó and Balázs Deák, for making this event and trip happen. Dr Balázs Deák and Dr Réka Kiss's timely comments/suggestions are wholeheartedly appreciated. I declare no conflict of interest and no funding was received for this work. Noted references • Deák, B. (2020): Nature and Culture: The Role of Ancient Burial Mounds in the Conservation of Eurasian Steppe Vegetation. Ökológiai Kutatóközpont, Tihany, pp. 172. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356529117 • Deák, B., Valkó, O., Nagy D. … Tóthmérész, B. (2020): Habitat islands outside nature reserves – threatened biodiversity hotspots of grassland specialist plant and arthropod species. Biological Conservation 241: 108254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108254 • Deák, B., Bede, Á., Rádai, Z., Tóthmérész, B, .… A., Valkó, O. (2021): Different extinction debts among plants and arthropods after the loss of grassland amount and connectivity. Biological Conservation 264: 109372. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320721004249 • Valkó, O., Borza, S., Godó, L., Végvári, Z., Deák, B. (2022): Eurasian crane (Grus grus) as ecosystem engineer in grasslands ‒ conservation values, ecosystem services and disservices related to a large iconic bird species. Land Degradation and Development 33: 2155–2165. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4314 • Websites: https://deakvalko.blogspot.com/, https://www.hnp.hu/en, & https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/189 About the Author Mr Kaushik is a PhD candidate at the University of Pecs, Hungary. His current research focuses on the herb layer community and invasion ecology of a temperate monodominant plant species. He had finished his M.Phil. and M.Sc. from the Dept. of Botany, University of Delhi - India in Plant Biotechnology and Botany respectively. He had been a Summer Research Fellow 2013 [Indian Academies of Sciences] and a Stipendium Hungaricum Fellow 2015 [UGC-TPF venture] with eight science/outreach publications in press/published. As an active member of SER/E & INSR, he is aspiring to upskill his expertise in restoration ecology and ecopreneurship. LinkedIn ResearchGate 15

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Record of Successful Breeding of Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) at Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary (Ramsar Site), Gujarat, India Rajni Trivedi and P. S. Thakker1 1Email: [email protected] Photographs: Rajni Trivedi A Whiskered Tern on its nest at Nal Sarovar after the first rain on 19-6-2022 The Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias swamps and marshes. The nest is a rough raft of vegetation either floating or moored. hybrida) is a small marsh tern with a The sexes share nest building, incubation slightly forked tail. In breeding plumage it and care of the young. Single brood is has a black crown and white cheeks and usually raised in a season. A whole colony sides of neck. It prefers shallow terrestrial of the birds fly in case of the attack of a freshwater wetlands, freshwater swamps, predator or a person who tries to go near brackish and saline lakes, flood waters, by the colony and strike a person’s head sewage farms, irrigated farmlands and with their sharp beaks. large reservoirs. The breeding season of the Whiskered Tern is erratic. It breeds in loose Chlidonias hybrida breeds in colonies in large; often temporary; inland warmer parts of Europe and North Western Africa and Central & Southern 16

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Europe to South Eastern Siberia, Eastern India and in Sri Lanka) (Ali, 1972). The bird China and South to Pakistan & Northern breeds in Kashmir, North India in the India. The bird shows similarities in Gangetic plains, Assam and Bangladesh appearance to other marsh terns including (Ali, 2012). It species breeds in colonies on Black Tern. So there are three confusing inland marshes, sometimes amongst Black- terns due to similarities in plumage. headed Gulls which provide some protection. The tropical forms are resident, but European and Asian bird winter South to According to Rasmussen and Africa and Indian subcontinent. This bird Anderton (2012), the species is a winter is widely spread in the country during visitor mostly to Assam Valley, winter season. The bird affects jheels and Bangladesh, eastern and southern marshes inland and tidal creeks and mud Peninsula and Sri Lanka. It is a passage flats on the seaboard. The bird breeds in migrant (at least)-through much of Kashmir and erratically in North India. Afghanistan, throughout Baluchistan, Nesting season in India is from June to Indus Valley, Gilgit, Ladakh, most of NW September. India and Nepal. The species is a breeding visitor to Kashmir also. This species is The race indica is found throughout erratic and local breeding resident in the Indian Union, Pakistan and Sri Lanka Gangetic Plain, from Delhi to Bihar. (only as a winter visitor south of central Fig. 1 Distribution of Whiskered Tern in India (Adopted from: Grimmett et al., 2011) (Note: In the map, green colour indicates resident status including local and altitudinal migrant; blue colour indicates winter visitor status; and red colour indicates summer visitor status of Whiskered Tern) 17

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 At Nal Sarovar wetland (a Bird sp., Ipomea aquatica and I. carnea & Arundo Sanctuary, an IBA site and a Ramsar Site), donex. The first author (RT) has been seeing we (i.e. authors) observed a breeding this bird in breeding plumage since 1978 colony of the Whiskered Tern in marshy with his guide-cum-boatman Shri area near Sur bet /island (22̊ 48̍ 09̋ N and Vaghbhai Changabhai Nai. As per him, the 72̊ 01̍ 30̋ E) (Fig. 4, top-most picture)). The bird’s name in local language is vegetation composition in the area was “Tinaavadi” characterized by Typha angustata, Cyperus . Fig.4 Glimpses of breeding Whiskered Tern on the nest with eggs on 10th June 2022 18

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-Mar 2023 Fig.5 Presence of a Whiskered Tern pair at the nest The chicks were first seen on the were not favourable. But author (RT) could 24th June 2022. We could not do take pictures on 26th June 2022 (Fig. 6). photography of chick as the circumstances Fig.6 Whiskered Tern with its chicks Acknowledgements Mr. Kasam Sidani for helping in locating The authors want to acknowledge the tern’s breeding site. the help provided by the Gujarat Forest Department personnel for the study and References Ali, S. (1972). The Book of Indian Birds. Rasmussen P.C.& Anderton John C.(2012). Bombay Natural History Society; Birds of South Asia, The Ripley Bombay (Plate 22, pp.44) Guide; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Ali Salim (2012). The Book of Indian Birds. association with Michigan State Bombay Natural History Society; University Lynx, Vol.2 2nd Edition. Bombay Oxford; Oxford University Pp.197 Press Plate: 28 pp. 151 Grimmett Richard, Inskipp Carol, and Inskipp Tim (2011). Birds of Indian Subcontinent 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press. 19

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 The Mangrove Monkey: A Brief Natural History of the Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosa) Priya Ranganathan Email: [email protected] Introduction Honnavalli N. Kumara In the tangled coastal mangrove forests India in one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots. of Nicobar, a unique macaque forages for crabs in the sifting soil. The Nicobar Population long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus) is a subspecies of the crab- The Nicobar long-tailed macaque’s eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis) population has not been frequently native to the Nicobar Islands, located in surveyed; however, three surveys done the Bay of Bengal. Listed on the IUCN in 2000, 2006, and 2014 indicate that the Red List as Vulnerable, this monkey is largest event impacting macaque one of the lesser studied primates of population size was the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. In 2000, ecologists found a total of 88 groups of macaques on three islands. In 2006, two years 20

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 after the tsunami wiped out most of the macaques feed on crabs, and coastal vegetation where macaques live occasionally frogs, shrimp, and young and forage (thus wiping out suitable octopi (Son 2003). The highest time habitat and food resources), macaque investment in foraging occurs when at population declined before slowly the riverbank and decreases rapidly increasing once again by the time the with distance from river (van Schaik researchers returned to survey in 2014 1996). Macaques were observed to fight (Table 1) (Velankar et al. 2016). most aggressively over fruit, indicating the importance of this resource to their Table 1. Group size and female to male ratio overall diet (van Schaik & van Noordwijk 1988). observed across three study years (Velankar et al. 2016). 2000 2006 2014 Total # Groups 88 40 79 Adult female: Adult male 4.74 2.06 2.32 ratio Habitat A Nicobar long-tailed macaque husking a coconut (Photo by Honnavalli N. Kumara). This stout, squarish monkey is found on three islands in the Nicobar chain – Coconut is the primary crop grown by Great Nicobar, Little Nicobar, and islanders in Nicobar, and it is a regular Katchal. Here, it occupies mangroves, component of the Nicobar long-tailed swamp forests, and lowland forests up macaque’s diet (Son 2003). Typically, to 600 m elevation (Velankar et al. 2016). coconut has a long, continuous fruiting Occasionally, it is spotted in season and a long developmental plantations and gardens. period, ensuring that coconuts of different maturities are always Feeding Ecology available both in the trees and fallen on the ground (Pal et al. 2017). Macaques The long-tailed macaque preferentially feed on the endosperm of the coconut feeds on fruits, but will also feed on and drink its water as well. Behavioural tender leaves and shoots, insects, flowers, seeds, and grass. In 21 mangroves, Nicobar long-tailed

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 studies have observed macaques hours foraging and feeding heavily. plucking coconuts directly from the The midday hours are spent resting tree by twisting it near the stalk with (Gurmaya et al. 1994). both hands or using their teeth, Female macaques remain in their natal husking the coconuts to get at the juicy groups, passing on dominance and parts inside, and even pounding the hierarchy to their daughters. Studies hard inner shell of matured coconuts to have found that higher-ranked females access the fleshy endosperms and enjoy longer grooming sessions by water inside (Pal et al. 2017). subordinate macaques than do lower- ranked females (Wheatley 1999). The Macaques in roosting tree (Photo by main foraging group consists of higher- Honnavalli N. Kumara). ranked females, while lower-ranked females must forage in a separate Behavioural Ecology subgroup. Higher-ranked females have The average home range of a troupe of higher reproductive success, better long-tailed macaques is 1.25 km2 protection against predators and (Cawthon 2006). The daily time budget aggressive males, and easier access to of these macaques involves traveling, food (Wheatley 1999). feeding, resting, and socializing. They travel between 150 and 1900 m per day Photo by Honnavalli N. Kumara (Cawthon 2006). The species preferentially utilizes riverine habitats, Within males, hierarchy is equally where resource density is much higher apparent. Higher-ranked males have than inland (van Schaik 1996). Troupes highest access to sexually mature leave nesting trees around 5:30 or 6:00 females and father most of the infants in the morning and spent the morning in a troupe (Engelhardt et al. 2004). 22

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Alpha females frequently groom alpha have higher settlement densities than males and act aggressively towards lesser-ranked females that interact with on other islands. Nearly 600 ha of the alpha male. Males typically emigrate from natal troupes before primary forest was replaced on Katchal attaining sexual maturity (between four to six years of age) (de Jong et al. by rubber plantations. The Pandanus 1994). By nine years, males will attempt for dominance, with subordinates fruit which forms a major component typically migrating to a different group to try their luck. of the Nicobar long-tailed macaque’s Nicobar long-tailed macaque female and infant diet is one of the main trees replaced by (Photo by Honnavalli N. Kumara) plantations (Umapathy et al. 2003). Threats to the Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque Illegal logging is another cause of The mangrove monkey is threatened primarily by habitat loss in its unique habitat destruction on both Great ecosystem. Many coastal areas on the Nicobar Islands have been converted to Nicobar and Katchal Islands. The effect coconut and banana plantations for the livelihoods of indigenous populations, of such activities on Nicobar long-tailed with the most damage on Katchal Island where indigenous populations macaque populations mirrors that seen when rainforest fragmentation in the Western Ghats drastically reduced the resident lion-tailed macaque population, setting the species on the edge of extinction (Singh et al. 1997). With the expansion of ecotourism and shifting of populations to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there have been a growth in the number of townships, roads, airstrips, ports, and tourism ventures on the Nicobar Islands (Umapathy et al. 2003). This further disturbs the already fragmented and small population of Nicobar long-tailed macaques. While the long-tailed macaque has population strongholds in Southeast 23

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Asia, the Nicobar subspecies is highly Pal, A., Kumara, H. N., Mishra, P. S., Velankar, A. D., & Singh, M. (2018). Extractive threatened due to its small population foraging and tool-aided behaviors in the wild Nicobar long-tailed macaque size and geographic barriers to its (Macaca fascicularis umbrosus). Primates, 59(2), 173-183. movement. Without proper conservation and awareness, we may Singh, M. E., Singh, M. R., Kumara, H. N., Kumar, M. A., & d’Souza, L. (1997). see further reduction in the population Inter-and intra-specific associations of non-human primates in Anaimalai of this rare mangrove monkey, Hills, South India. potentially leading to the loss of another endangered, endemic species. Son, V. D. (2004). Time budgets of Macaca fascicularis in a mangrove forest, References: Vietnam. Laboratory primate newsletter, 43(3), 1-4. Cawthon KA. (2006). Primate Factsheets: Long- Umapathy, G., Singh, M., & Mohnot, S. M. tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) (2003). Status and distribution of Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology. Macaca fascicularis umbrosa in the Accessed 2020 July 17. Nicobar Islands, India. International Journal of Primatology, 24(2), 281-293. Gurmaya, K. J., Adiputra, I. M. W., Saryatiman, A. B., Danardono, S. N., & Sibuea, T. T. Velankar, A. D., Kumara, H. N., Pal, A., Mishra, H. (1994). A preliminary study on ecology and conservation of the Java P. S., & Singh, M. (2016). Population primates in Ujung Kulon National Park, West Java, Indonesia. Current recovery of Nicobar long-tailed Primatology, 1, 87-92. macaque Macaca fascicularis de Jong, G. D., De Ruiter, J. R., & Haring, R. (1994). Genetic structure of a umbrosus following a tsunami in the population with social structure and migration. In Conservation genetics Nicobar Islands, India. PLoS One, (pp. 147-164). Birkhäuser, Basel. 11(2), e0148205. Engelhardt, A., Pfeifer, J. B., Heistermann, M., Niemitz, C., van Hooff, J. A., & Van Schaik, C. P. (1996). Riverine refuging by Hodges, J. K. (2004). Assessment of wild Sumatran long-tailed macaques. female reproductive status by male Evolution and ecology of macaque longtailed macaques, Macaca societies, 160-181. fascicularis, under natural conditions. Animal Behaviour, 67(5), 915-924. Van Noordwijk, M. A., & Van Schaik, C. P. (1988). Scramble and contest in feeding competition among female long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Behaviour, 105(1-2), 77-98. Wheatley, B. P. (1999). Sacred monkeys of Bali. Waveland Press, c.. About the Author Priya Ranganathan is a PhD student at ATREE, Bengaluru studying the ecohydrology, biodiversity and ecosystem services of Myristica swamps. She is founder and editor of Youth For Nature e-magazine. 24

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Loss of Urban Wetlands and Urban Flooding in Bengaluru Avik Banerjee Email: [email protected] Illegal encroachment and pollution in Chikkajala lake, Bengaluru (Bangalore) Introduction a recent study published in 2017, Wetlands in urban areas, such Greater Bengaluru has undergone a as Bengaluru, are increasingly at high massive 1028 per cent increase in urban risk of over-exploitation and subsequent decay and complete loss, cover, because of which, it had to mainly due to rapid concretization of urban spaces in the wake of economic inculcate 88 per cent loss in total growth and development. Once known as the 'city of lakes', Bengaluru was vegetation cover and 79 per cent loss to endowed with more than 260 lakes back in the 1940s. But presently it is wetland cover of the area reduced to a mere 65 lakes only. As per (Ramachandra et al., 2017). These shocking numbers hint toward more significant ecological losses forthcoming over the next decade if adequate conservative measures to 25

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 curtail such unplanned and of flooding. Over the years, more such unprecedented urban development are reservoirs were built during the reign not implemented. of the Wadiyars of the Mysore kingdom and the British colonial rule to History meet the ever-increasing water demands of the growing Bengaluru Bengaluru was once home to city. more than 1000 lakes in the 1600s. Most Current state Urban wetlands in Bengaluru of them were man-made, built during have witnessed cycles of decay and the reign of the then chieftain Kempa restoration over time. Many have been encroached upon and reduced to Gowda, also known as the founder of smaller pools mainly due to excessive urban infrastructure build-up. Many Bengaluru. These freshwater others are at some stage of deterioration or have entirely reservoirs, also known as artificial disappeared. A study in 2013 on 105 lakes in Bengaluru reported that almost tanks, were initially built by damming 98 per cent of lakes were encroached to some degree, and almost 90 per cent of the natural valley systems, mainly for lakes were polluted (Ramachandra et al., 2016). A more recent water quality agriculture, including irrigation, analysis report published by the Karnataka State Pollution Control supplying drinking water and Board (KSPCB) has reported that no lake in Bengaluru contains water fit for providing fishing opportunities. They drinking. It is due to their pollution caused by untreated sewage disposal also served an essential purpose of and industrial effluent discharged into them. replenishing and sustaining 26 groundwater resources and significantly influenced the city's microclimate. The reservoirs or tanks were partially interconnected with one another by channels or drains to control flooding of lakes, particularly during the monsoons, by channelization of excess water. Lakes collected rainwater from their catchment area, and excess water was spilt over to the next reservoir, thereby avoiding the chances

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 (Courtesy: Daniel Brownstein and Maêl Le Noc; Source: Guerrilla Cartograph) Bengaluru is one of India's has led to the unrestricted growth of fastest-growing megacities, with more urban settlements and developmental than 10 million inhabitants (Sudha & projects at the cost of a reduction in the Ravindranath, 2000). Since the onset of overall wetland cover of the city. Over the IT revolution, more and more the past 50 years, almost 57 per cent of people have inhabited the city, which the losses to open water bodies was due 27

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 to their conversion into urban spaces the frequency of urban flooding in the such as residential complexes, offices, city. bus stations, stadiums, or markets (Brinkmann et al., 2020). Urban flooding is the accumulation of floodwaters in a built Significant Impacts and Urban environment. It is caused when the Flooding inflow of stormwaters overwhelms the drainage systems' capacity to absorb or Uncontrolled urban expansion carry it away. Loss of wetlands to the and illegal encroachment of water bodies in the city have drastically Urban flooding in Bangalore reduced groundwater levels. The unprecedented residential and groundwater table has dopped to 300 commercial infrastructure, illegal meters from 28 meters over the past 20 encroachment of drains and years alone (Ramachandra et al., 2016). floodplains of lakes have resulted in a Increased concretization of wetlands loss of interconnectivity among the and land surfaces has led to increased city's waterbodies. Concrete surfaces atmospheric and surface temperatures, cannot absorb water leading to large mainly due to better heat retention of amount of runoff water during artificial materials and the loss of monsoons. Therefore, even during overall water cover, which previously moderate rainfall, each of these served as cooling mechanisms via waterbodies gets filled up quickly to evapotranspiration. Such urbanization the brim and start overflowing, leading measures have also led to an increase in to frequent flooding scenarios in the city (Ramachandra et al., 2017). In one Polluted waters of Hunasamaranahalli lake 28

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 such recent instance, Bengaluru was all in cities could lead to major ecological over the national news when a few consequences such as frequent urban days of rainfall led to urban flooding of flooding, loss of biodiversity, drop in major areas of the IT hub, bringing the groundwater levels, water shortage, 'Silicon Valley of India' to a temporary and climate insecurity, among many standstill. Such instances have others. repeatedly indicated the scope for planning and implementation of After all, this Bengaluru wetland stringent measures in curtailing illegal saga also seems to be a silver lining. In encroachment and unrestrained recent years, citizens have started to development of built infrastructure realize the importance of lakes in the over and around the city's wetlands. city and are interested in preserving what is left of them. Government Conclusion agencies have also implemented strict Wetlands are known to function laws to prevent illegal construction upon the lakes' terrain. However, these as the 'kidneys of the landscape’ as they seem to be small steps towards a more aid in bioremediation. They constitute significant challenge. Over the next one of the most critical ecosystems decade, more robust government supporting immense biodiversity, measures and active public including migratory birds. They participation are the key to the provide other essential ecosystem restoration and maintenance of services such as water purification, wetlands and could prevent Bengaluru natural sinks for flood control and from turning into a giant unplanned microclimate regulation. It is clear by concrete jungle. far that unrestricted urban growth, along with illegal encroachment, 29 pollution, and over-exploitation of water bodies across the city, are the major causes behind the high rate of wetland loss in the past few decades. The continued loss of urban wetlands

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 References: Bengaluru: Causes and Remedial Measures (Vol. 123). ENVIS Technical Sudha, P., & Ravindranath, N. H. Report No. (2000). A study of Bengaluru urban forest. Landscape and Urban Brinkmann, K., Hoffmann, E., & Planning, 47(1-2), 47-63. Buerkert, A. (2020). Spatial and temporal dynamics of Urban Wetlands Ramachandra, T. V., Asulabha, K. S., in an Indian Megacity over the past 50 Sincy, V., Bhat, S., & Aithal, B. H. years. Remote Sensing, 12(4), 662. (2016). Wetlands: Treasure of Bengaluru, ENVIS Technical Report Brownstein, Daniel (1 March 2021). \" 101, Energy and Wetlands Research Bengaluru's Disappearing group, CES, IISc, Bengaluru, India. Lakes\". Guerrilla Cartography. Ramachandra, T. V., Vinay, S., & Bharath, H. A. (2017). Frequent Floods in About the Author Mr. Avik Banerjee is pursuing PhD at the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES) at the Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bengaluru. His research includes studying behavioural and nutritional ecology of lizards. He is a nature enthusiast who loves to travel around and learn new things. He also has a keen interest in nature photography. 30

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Community-based Conservation Endeavour of Maguri- Motapung-A Wetland in Assam, Northeast India Kunal Chanda Email: [email protected] The importance of wetlands can the stewardship of the local communities and their proactive role in be ascribed on a global scale. It has sustainable ecotourism management. contributed significantly towards This ensures a proper mixture of providing valuable ecosystem services ecotourism and economic benefits that while offering significant economic can bring forth management and benefits in the form of ecotourism and conservation measures on a landscape recreation. This has acted as a basis of level identified through the mutual economic thrust for the conservation interest of man and nature. The and management actions by the local community-based conservation effort communities that do not lie within the of the local communities residing in realm of the Protected Areas and are proximity to Maguri-Motapung usually overlooked owing to wetland exemplifies a prime example constraints in the allocation of of how a long-term endeavour can government funds to warrant for its usher the path for generating prioritisation in the conservation of the substantial income source for the local habitat and the biodiversity it harbours. communities while contributing to the The amalgamation of ecotourism and wetland-based conservation highlights 31

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 conservation of the remarkable Linking ecosystem services and biodiversity of the wetland. livelihood aspects The riverine Maguri-Motapung Wetlands are known to provide wetland a wide array of ecosystem services that are intricately tied to the livelihood Maguri-Motapung wetland is a aspects of local communities inhabiting picturesque riverine wetland located in the region. Maguri-Motapung wetland Tinsukia district of Assam in North- also provisions a wide range of East India. The etymology of the name ecosystem services that play a key role Maguri Motapung is derived from in generating livelihood aspects to the Magur which is the local name for the local communities that are reliant on it walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) while for sustenance and survival. The Motapung is a name of an adjacent primary occupation of the communities village surrounding the wetland. This is dependent on fishery while wetland is connected to the Dibru river agriculture, tourism and labour acts as by a myriad of channels that also flows secondary means for income through it (Boruah et al. 2008). It is generation for these communities. bounded by Dibru-Saikhowa National These livelihood aspects emanate from Park (DBSNP) and its Biosphere the diverse range of ecosystem services Reserve in the south while six villages that the wetland provides which encompass it form the west, east and accentuates the pivotal role that the south end. The wetland holds wetland imparts in fulfilling the remarkable biodiversity which offers a livelihood of the local communities. haven to about 36 mammals, 500 However, over-exploitation and migratory and residential birds and improper fishing techniques triggered over 108 species of indigenous fishes the drastic reduction in the catch size of (Bania and Biswas, 2012). Owing to its indigenous fishes which jeopardised significant avifaunal assemblage, it was their primary livelihood prospect. This also the declared as an Important Bird drove them to seek alternate means to Area site by BirdLife International in supplement their income source. The 2016. 32

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 local communities thereby turned over local authorities and the local a new leaf by taking up ecotourism as communities to work in tandem in an alternative livelihood prospect to constructing homestays within the attenuate their financial constraints. neighbouring villages to facilitate This act, therefore, served as an ecotourism-based activities. Further, impetus to address the growing issue of the local youth of the neighbouring halting the unwarranted loss of villages are also trained and employed biodiversity and priortising the need as nature guides to organise boat tours for conserving the native biodiversity within the wetland. This has ushered a of the wetland. new path for providing an alternate means of earning a livelihood which Alternative livelihood and was affected by over-fishing. This well- community based ecotourism founded joint initiative presents itself prospects with a glimmer of hope to conserve the existing flora and fauna and provide a Maguri-Motapung Beel presents more diversified outlook on attaining livelihood to the ethnic communities as a unique natural habitat due to its close opposed to the conventional orthodox means. proximity to the eastern Himalayas, Catastrophic oil spill and wanton attracting a wide assemblage of Loss of biodiversity migratory birds. As a result, The prospect of ecotourism seems to be a viable prospect to be birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts utilised for accrual of substantial income and leading to conservation often flock to the wetland in huge and management goals. Nonetheless, it also presents obstacles towards numbers during the retreating accomplishing its determined goal. The location of the wetland lies in the monsoon season. To seize upon this vicinity of an oil-well site in the prospect, Dibru Saikhowa 33 Conservation Society was established by the local communities in 2008 with a committee to oversee the development and facilitation of an Eco-Tourism Centre for catering to the tourists (Khandekar, 2018; Sonowal and Thakuriah, 2019). This prompted the

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 neighbouring village, Baghjan. Oil spill However, a notification from the has already been deemed as a Ministry of Environment Forest and significant hazard to ecosystem health Climate Change (MoEFCC) based upon in numerous circumstances throughout a proposal from Assam Forest history. This threat was brought to bear Department intends to extend the Eco- with blow-out of the oil condensate and sensitive zone of DBNSP from 340 to inflammation of the gas leakage on 658 sq. kms which shall also encompass May 27, 2020. Just within a few weeks the entire extent of Maguri-Motapung the uncontrolled flow of oil Beel (MoEFCC, 2018). This will go a condenstates drained into the wetland long way for offering protection under and the adjacent DBSNP severely the provisions of Environmental threatening the existence of native Protection Act, 1986. Furthermore, the biodiversity. This oil spill brought Guidelines for implementing Wetlands about irreparable damages to the (Conservation and Management) wetland ecosystem that threatened the Rules, 2017 by MoEFCC also call for an survival of the plants and animals with ‘Integrated Management Plan’ which loss of natural habitats and loss of describes strategies and actions for livelihood aspects of the local management actions of wetlands and communities. The impact of this fallout identify factors that may impede has reverberated regarding the creation proper management (MoEFCC, 2017). of ecological imbalance and loss of In this context, Institute of Integrated livelihood opportunities, which Resource Management (IIRM), a local warrants recovery and rehabilitation partner for International Centre for measures on the wetland and its Integrated Mountain Development dependent communities. (ICIMOD) prepared a Wetland Management Plan for Tinsukia district Glimmer of a hope administration, which is now pending approval from concerned authorities Maguri-Motapung despite (Khandekar, 2018). This wetland management plan upon its subsequent being loacted in the adjacent vicinity of approval will pave the path for its DBNSP has not been offered with 34 protection under any stringent laws.

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 proper management and call for an Sonowal, G., and G. Thakuriah (2019). immediate halt upon detrimental Integrated community based activities threatening the existence of governmental policies for conservation the wetland. of wetland ecosystem with special References reference to Maguri- Motapung wetland Boruah, S., P. Ganguli, S. P. Biswas and of Tinsukia district, Assam. International A. Sharma (2008). Land use land cover changes-Its impact on the wetland Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, ecosystem of Maguri Beel, Assam. Conservation and Restoration of Lakes, 6 (2), 65-69. 605-616. About the Author Bania, R. and S. P. Biswas, (2012). Fish based ecotourism in Dibru-Saikhowa Kunal Chanda, from Tinsukia district, Assam National Park. In Proceeding of the is pursuing his doctoral studies in Animal National Seminar on Biodiversity of the Ecology and Wildlife Biology from Gauhati North-East with special Reference to University, Assam. He has worked the Brahmaputra Valley. extensively with Assam State Biodiversity Board for more than 3 years promoting Khandekar, N. (2018, May 25). In biodiversity conservation and sustainable Assam – a wetland too popular for its use of bioresources. He is now currently own good. The Third Pole. engaged as a UNDP-NBA BSIP Intern. His https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/cli interest lies in the field of wetland ecology mate/assam-wetland/. with particular focus on avifauna, community based conservation, and MoEFCC (2017). Guidelines for documentation of traditional knowledge. implementing Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. 1-31. MoEFCC (2018). Minutes Of The 31st Expert Committee Meeting held under the Chairmanship of Shri A. K. Mehta, Additional Secretary for the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Wildlife Sanctuaries/National Parks during 13-14 September 2018. Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. 1-26. 35

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Artificially Dug Sand Quarry Transformed into an Abode of Wetland Birds in Salem, Tamil Nadu Anisha Padur Sankaranarayanan, Sangavi Dhanapal, Mehabharathi Senthilkumar, Thiruchenthil Nathan Parthasarathy1 Email1: [email protected] Figure 1: The newly formed wetland Samuthiram lake Wetlands, a transitional zone 2016). An artificially dug sand quarry on a poramboke land in Venganur between aquatic and terrestrial village of Salem (11°43’18” N 78° 04’41” ecosystem enables flourishing of E) has been transformed into a lake and several flora and fauna (Singh, 2022). an abode of wetland birds, which was They play a vital role in hydrological once a sand mound along with rocks. In cycle and water purification recent days, many cities in Tamil Nadu (Woodward & Wui, 2001). We are reporting a serendipitous formation of suffer heavily due to inundation after a pond due to extensive soil excavation rain. The construction of bus stands, in a poramboke land in Salem and commercial and other buildings by became abode to several water birds. covering up ponds and lakes were pointed out as reasons. On the other Salem, the steel city in Tamil Nadu, hand, human activities like digging India, is well known for its extensive sand from unused land created a lake, mining activities and rapid called “Samuthiram lake” in Salem. urbanization (Balamurugan & Kumar 36

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 The place is a semi urban habitat in the billed duck while the Eurasian coot and junction of rural villages and highway. the water hen who lost their breeding ground due to increasing water levels The bird diversity of this lake are less common now a days. has been monitored since the formation of lake from 2019 onwards and spotting The newly formed lake is in of water birds has been increasing, poramboke land and is now a water which was solely due to the formation source for irrigation to nearby of samuthiram lake in a village behind agricultural lands and after the the University. We have been introduction of fish fingerlings in the observing a sharp variation in birding pond, now several peoples also catching communities each year for the past fishes for their families. Similar three years. Initially during 2019, the construction of such water storage areas lake was predominantly inhabited by in poramboke lands in rural habitats Eurasian coot, moor hen, white will helpful for bird diversity and breasted water hen, cormorants, pond conservation, raise of ground water heron and little grebe with occasional table and the enhancement of lively visiting by night heron and purple hood of local village peoples. headed swamphen. But with continuous increase in depth and lake However, further studies need area, it is now supporting 19 species of to be conducted to check the ecological birds and the bird community is now health of the lake and related biota to dominated by Night heron, Pond ensure the longevity of the newly heron, Little grebe and Indian spot formed lake. 37

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Table 1. Bird diversity in Samuthiram lake S.No Scientific Common Common/ Breeding/ Migratory/ 1 name name rare Foraging Native 2 Breeding Native 3 Fulica atra Eurasian Common 4 coot Breeding Native 5 Anas Indian spot Common poecilorhyncha billed duck Breeding Native 6 Tachybaptus Little grebe Common Breeding Migratory 7 ruficollis Rare 8 Sarkidiornis Comb Foraging Native 9 sylvicola duck Common 10 Halcyon White Foraging Native 11 smyrnensis breasted Rare 12 kingfisher Foraging Native 13 Ceryle rudis Pied Rare 14 kingfisher Foraging Native 15 Alcedo atthis Common Common 16 kingfisher Breeding Migratory 17 Motacilla Large pied Rare 18 maderaspatensis wagtail Foraging Native 19 Mycteria Painted Rare Foraging Native leucocephala stork Rare Foraging Native Egretta garzetta Little egret Rare Ardea cinerea Grey heron Foraging Native Pseudibis Indian Common papillosa black ibis Foraging Native Nycticorax Night Common nycticorax heron Foraging Native Ardeola grayii Pond Common heron Foraging Native Microcarbo Little Common Breeding Native niger cormorant Rare Milvus migrans Pariah kite Breeding Native Porphyrio Purple Common porphyrio swamphen Breeding Native Gallinula Eurasian Common chloropus moorhen Amaurornis White phoenicurus breasted waterhen 38

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Figure 2: Juvenile of Eurasian moorhen on the wetland. Figure 3: Comb ducks in the nearby agricultural field. 39

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 References Singh, M. (2022). Avifaunal diversity in services: a meta-analysis. Ecological unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya economics, 37(2), 257-270. District, Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 14(8), 21561-21578. Balamurugan, P., & Kumar, P. S. (2016). Quality of ground water assessment in Woodward, R. T., & Wui, Y. S. (2001). Salem District using GIS Techniques. The economic value of wetland Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences, 10(3), 22-32. About the Authors Anisha Padur Sankaranarayanan is a University has been working with bat Ph.D., student in Zoology in Periyar roosting and breeding ecology. He is University, Salem. She is studying the actively involved in bat conservation. gut microbiome, Diet and ecological role of elephants in Nilgiri Biosphere Thiruchenthil Nathan Parthasarathy, Reserve, India. He is a Professor in Zoology at Periyar University having expertise in bat Sangavi Dhanapal is a Doctorate ecology and their ecological role. student in Periyar University, Salem. She is studying the Spider ecology in Salem. Mehabharathi Senthilkumar, a Master student in Zoology at Periyar 40

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Periyar Lake: Where Wildlife and Communities Thrive J. Patrick David Email:[email protected] Ajimon, Forest Guard A Panoramic View of Periyar Lake Introduction and time spent with relatives. Twenty Periyar Lake is a globally years later, I landed in Periyar Tiger renowned eco-tourism destination Reserve as an Ecologist working for the located in God’s Own Country, Kerala. Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation The lake lies completely within the (PTCF). This time though I was an Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is one of accomplished birder and an avid the two Tiger Reserves in the state. The explorer of wilderness. I had just location of the lake amidst lush tropical completed studying the avifauna of forest and the high probability of Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu and was sighting large wild herbivores have eager to document the birdlife of the attracted lakhs of tourists to this spot. Western Ghats. My tryst with the lake started during The three years that I spent in my first visit in 1993. Back then I was a the Tiger Reserve was the best in my college student and I enjoyed the life as I was free to walk in the forest salubrious weather, the wild animals fully supported by the Forest 41

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Department. A privilege few people ‘Nature Trail’ makes people explore the had. I dint want to waste it. The Periyar lake by a walk through the fringes of Lake and the surrounding forest was the forest for 4km. A two night stay in the most visited as we were assigned to the Lake margins is made possible by assess the diversity and abundance of the ‘Tiger Trail programme’. In birds in the lake and the surrounding combination with other eco-tourism forest. programmes, the revenue of the park is History and Tourism approximately eight crore annually. Habitat and Wildlife Periyar Lake was formed after the construction of the Mullaperiyar Five types of habitats can be dam in 1895 across the Mullaperiyar recognized in the lake. River. The main catchment of the river Open Water and Snags is in the southern portion of the reserve at Sundaramala. The dam was The lake is mostly deep open constructed to supply water to five water with emergent scattered snags. water starved districts of the adjacent The snags are remnants of tall trees that state of Tamil Nadu. The plan to once formed a lush forest. The drivers construct the dam was in paper for a are adept at moving around these snags very long time, until it was handed without causing any damage to the over to Pennycuick who completed it in boat. The lake is devoid of any aquatic 1895. The construction of the dam vegetation because of the deep and submerged an area of 26sq.km forming flowing water. Dense forest and grass the Periyar Lake. At full capacity water covered hills dot the landscape beyond can be stored up to 46.32m. the grassy meadows that form the margins of the lake. Boating is the main tourism activity in the lake. Both the forest and The open water and snags are tourism department run five trips daily home to several species of water birds. carrying approximately 2000 people. In Prominent among them are the diving addition to boating, bamboo rafting is birds; the Cormorants and Darter. The another exciting tourist activity in the most common is the Great Cormorant lake. Another interesting programme Phalacrocorax carbo. Images of the bird and nests in the dead trees have dotted 42

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 many print and online media. They waters beyond the tourism zone. Fish, nest in the lake from August till March Frogs, Crabs, Birds and Insects form the In the 2016-2017 season we recorded prey of the Otter in Periyar Lake 40nest and in the next season 36 nest. Its (Anoop and Hussain, 2005). Bulk of the smaller cousin the Little Cormorant fish diet is composed of the exotic Microcarbo niger arrive in their Tilapia and European Carp. Another hundreds every day from nearby animal that is prominently seen in the roosts. The Darter Anhinga melanogaster lake basking on rocks and logs is the occurs in small numbers in the Lake. Indian Black Turtle or Indian Pond Though we saw birds in breeding Terrapin Melanochelys trijuga. plumage we could not collect any evidence for nesting. Next to the diving The Icthyofauna of the reserve is birds, the common bird group represented by 54 species, of which encountered are the Kingfishers Periyar River system including the represented by four species; the White- Lake supports 36 species of fish throated Halcyon smyrensis (which is (Radhakrishnan et al., 2010). the common and abundant), Pied The Lake Margins Ceryle rudis, Common Alcedo atthis and Stork-billed Pelargopsis capensis. Egrets The margins of the lake when and Herons form another major group exposed reveal lush growth of grasses. in the Lake. The abundant being the These meadows are foraging grounds Little Egret Egretta garzetta. Other for large herds of herbivores such as species are the Great Egret Ardea alba, Elephant Elephas maximus, Gaur Bos Intermediate Egret Ardea intermedia, gaurus, Sambar Cervus unicolor and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Indian Pond Wild Pig Sus scrofa. In fact, Periyar has Heron Ardeola grayii and Striated Heron one the highest densities of prey in the Butorides striata. country. Gaur 11/sq.km, Sambar 6/sq.km, Wild Pig 4.5/sq.km sustain The lake supports a healthy top carnivores such as Tiger Panthera population of Smooth-coated Otter tigris, Leopard Panthera pardus and Lutrogale perspicillata. Families of Otter Wild Dog Cuon alpinus (PTCF, 2017). can be seen foraging among the placid 43

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Lake margins are where packs of the high ground and lined with twigs. Wild Dog hunt Sambar. Most of the The River Tern eggs were larger and hunts occur around the Lake Palace densely mottled. Totally we recorded hotel where the deer assemble to take 28 Pratincole eggs and 3 River Tern advantage of human presence to escape eggs. By the end of May the colony was from the predators. Carcasses of vacant. Sambar left behind by the Wild Dog become food for the Woolly-necked The Islands are also used by the Stork Ciconia episcopus, Stripe-necked White-browed Wagtail Motacilla Mongoose Urva vitticola and the maderaspatensis and Paddyfield Pipit Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga. Anthus rufulus to nest. Wagtail nests are Woolly-necked Stork nest in the Silk placed in the narrow crevices under Cotton Trees along the lake margin boulders while Pipit nests were found from September to November. among the grasses. The lush growth of The Islands grass also attracts Elephants. The Aerial Space When water level recedes low lying areas get exposed forming small This is occupied by the aquatic islands called ‘thuruthu’ in Malayalam. raptors viz; Brahminy Kite Haliastur These Islands are nesting sites for indus, Osprey Pandion haliaetus and ground nesting birds. One of the major Lesser Fish Eagle Haliaeetus humilis. discovery during the water bird survey While the former two species can be was the nesting of Small Pratincole spotted along the main course of the Glareola lactea and River Tern Sterna river, the Lesser Fish Eagle prefers the aurantia (David et al., 2020). We first calm waters along the interiors of the noticed head bobbing in Small Lake. Some individuals of the Osprey Pratincoles in February, which made us seem to spend the entire year in the suspect that the birds could breed in the Lake as they were recorded during the Island. It was in April that we noticed non-migratory season also. In total 67 the first eggs. The Pratincole eggs were species of water birds have been laid on bare ground along the slopes recorded in the Lake and its vicinity till while the only River Tern nest was in now (David et al., 2022). 44

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881), Vol.13, No.1, Feb-Mar 2023 Importance to indigenous people infinite resource that the Lake provides. The fish resources of the Lake The Lake and its biodiversity must be seamlessly monitored for wildlife and are an important source of food and humans to thrive. revenue for the indigenous people that once inhabited the forest. Two tribal References groups; Mannans and Paliyans extensively used the forest resources Anoop K.R. and S.A. Hussain (2005). Food for their livelihood, but were and feeding habits of Smooth-coated Otters translocated when the dam was (Lutra perspicillata) and their significance to constructed. However the reserve the fish population of Kerala, India. Journal administration has granted them rights of Zoology. 266: 15-23 to the fish resources. They are allowed to catch fish in certain portions of the David J.P., C. Sivakumar, V. K. Silpa and G. lake without harming or disturbing the Matchachan (2020). First breeding record of wild flora and fauna. The mannans use the Small Pratincole and River Tern In fishing nets, while the Paliyans use Periyar Lake. Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala, rods. The fish catch is directly sold to India. Zoos Print 35(2): 25-27 the hotel owners and a portion of the revenue is deposited into the David J.P., C. Sivakumar and R. Manakadan community development fund (CDF) (2022). Status and abundance of water birds which is used during contingency. in Periyar Lake, Kerala, India. Journal of the While fishing is the main livelihood. Bombay Natural History Society 119 (2). they also grow agricultural crops and a large proportion of the people are self- Draft report on the monitoring of Tigers, Co- sufficient. predators and Prey in Periyar Agasthyamalai Conclusion landscape ,Kerala Part (2017). Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation. The Periyar Lake is an ecologically important location within About the Author the Tiger Reserve. Several species of wild flora and fauna and indigenous J. Patrick David is an avid bird communities are dependent on the watcher and is interested in exploring wilderness for birds and other wildlife. 45

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-March 2023 Ramsar Sites of Northeast India Swarnali Das Email: [email protected] Pranjal Mahananda Deepor Beel, Assam Highly uneven transitional land migratory birds, protect us from flood between terrestrial and aquatic system where the area is saturated with or and act as giant filters easing pollution. submerged under the water, that flow or remain static throughout year, such In another word, wetlands are often type of area are known as Wetlands. This area periodically skims by described as ‘Kidney of the landscape’ hydrophytes and the substrate predominantly undrained in hydric (Mitsch & Gosselink, 1986). They soil. Wetland ecosystem across our planet is crucial for biodiversity as they sheltered almost one-third of world’s are home to 40% of world’s plants and animals. Wetlands serve as shelter, endangered species. Wetland nesting sites, feeding grounds, nurseries, important stoppage for the ecosystems include area of marsh, fen, peatland, fresh or brackish water also marine water with depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres that can trap and store Greenhouse Gases 55 times faster than tropical rainforests. Wetland soil is known to trap highest amount of soil carbon in the biosphere 46

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-March 2023 for nurturing biodiversity. A new wetlands and its resources. Since then concept of 2020 – ‘Irrecoverable 172 UN members have become carbon’, which means massive store of ‘Contracting Parties’ and 2,455 carbon in the ecosystem that take wetlands have given international centuries to form and are vulnerable to importance under Ramsar Convention. release in the earth’s atmosphere due to India has been part of Ramsar anthropologic activities, if by chance Convention since 1st February, 1982 they are lost, could not restored by and now currently there are total 75 2050. Certain special ecosystem such sites designated as Ramsar Sites with the Amazonian canopy, the rich cover a surface area of 13,26,677 peatlands of the Congo Basin, the hectares. mangrove swamps of the Everglades and the old-growth forest of the Pacific Northeast India since ancient Northwest are among the most efficient time has been considered as carbon sinks in the world but also most biodiversity rich as this region falls vulnerable ecosystem to restore. under the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot among the 36 biodiversity The anoxic conditions of hotspot of the world. This region wetland which leading to slow accounts for almost 5 percent of decomposition and accumulation of wetlands in the country with 7,731 wetlands and additional 11,736 smaller organic matter, making them an wetlands. Among 75 international important sink for atmospheric carbon recognised sites under Ramsar dioxide and holding up approximately convention, four of them belong to 40% soil carbon. Northeast India- Deepor beel in Assam, Loktak Lake in Manipur, Pala Wetland To protect this vital ecosystem in Mizoram and Rudrasagar in Tripura. an intergovernmental treaty known as Deepor Beel ‘Ramsar Convention’ was adopted in the Ramsar city of Iran in 1971, to A riverine wetland in Kamrup provide the framework for national and district, located southwest of international cooperation for the Guwahati, Assam and only Ramsar conservation and sustainable use of sites in Assam (2002). A permanent 47

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-March 2023 freshwater lake, which was a former baeri). The presence of 50 fish species, channel of Brahmaputra river, hold provide livelihood support for lush greenery and sprinkling water household residing in the fringe village body that serve as great biological of the wetland. Deepor beel serve as importance and also essential as major important source of water and food for storm water storage basin for the city of animals in nearby Rani and Garbhanga Guwahati. The lake is centre of Reserve forests, especially for the attraction for orthinologists; wildlife Endangered Asiatic Elephants (Elephas biologist and environmentalist as it maximus). It is also home to sustain over 200 species of birds endangered species such as leopard, including 70 species of migratory birds. fishing cats, tiger etc. It also harbours This lake is staging sites on migratory highest plankton diversity which is flyways and also recognised as largest crucial as lowest producer of congregation of the aquatic birds in ecosystem. The outstanding Assam, especially during winter hydrological biological and ecological seasons. Due to its avian fauna cycles and its sustainable socio- richness, Deepor beel is identify as one economic cultural values with its of the Important Bird and Biodiversity ability to support rare, vulnerable and Area (IBA) sites by Birdlife endangered species of plants and International. Deepor Beel is one of the animals qualifies Deepor beel as refueling sites on the migratory flyway International important wetland. But and some of the largest congregations the continuation of degrading activities of aquatic birds in Assam, particularly such as encroachment, habitat in winter. Apart from that this highly fragmentation and procuring of land productive beel also support large for agriculture and residential use has number of terrestrial birds (Saikia, created catastrophic effect on the 2005). Some globally threatened birds natural habitat of flora and fauna of including Spotbilled Pelican (Pelicanus Deepor beel. philippensis), Lesser and Greater Loktak Lake adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus and L.dubius) and Baer’s Pochard (Aythya Loktak Lake is situated 48 km from Imphal city in Bishnupur district 48

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-March 2023 of state Manipur. The lake’s circular large mammals. A multitude of factors has created great concern during last floating biomass rich in nutrients few decades due to invasion of foreign plant species, encroaching of park swamps which looks like beautiful territory for farming practices, poaching and illegal fishing. Within the miniature floating island covered with microphytes of the lake, more than 50% of the mineral nutrients of the wetland vegetation, known as Phumdis thrive are locked, which help in reducing nutrient concentration of water thereby across the lake sheltering animals as suppressing the algal growth. Plants within the accumulation of biomass well as human. The Phumdis plays a acts as a filter for nutrients and other pollutants, hereby helps in purification great role in the ecological processes of water. Rudrasagar Lake: and functions that provide a biological Rudrasagar Lake is one of the sink to key nutrients and govern important International recognised Ramsar site. This National Lake No. 13 dynamic biological cycles of the lake. A and also International Lake number 1572 located Melaghar block under unique sight of floating huts of Sonamura sub-division in the West side of Tripura state, India. This essential fishermen living in the lake is known as floodplain being a lowland sedimentation reservoir in the Phumsang can be seen exclusively on northeast hill is fed by three perennial streams, viz Noa-cherra, Loktak Lake. The lake houses world’s Durlavnarayan-cherra and Kamtali- cherra discharging within Gumti River only floating wildlife sanctuary Keibul basin, named as ‘New Karchi’. Lamjao National Park which is the last 49 refuge to highly endangered ungulate species Sangai deer (Cervus eldi eldi). Sangai deer were nearly extinct near 1950s, fortunately aggressive conservations efforts have increased their number more than 200 individuals. In 1990,Loktak Lake declared as Ramsar site as it was important ecosystem in ecological perspective, in support about 230 species of aquatic plants, 100 types of birds and 400 species of fauna like Barking deer, sambar, slow loris, Indian civet and many other small and

Jalaplavit (ISSN 2321-1881) Vol.13, No. 1, Feb-March 2023 Rudrasagar Lake is one major wetland In 1952, Government rehabilitated a of Tripura state with rich biological group of refugee fishermen near the diversity which facilitates the natural lake area and granted fishing right in breeding site of valuable indigenous the Lake water. Later on, they formed a endemic fishes such as Botia spp, Co-operative Samabaya Samity was Notopterus Chitala, Mystrus spp, Ompok formed for overall development of the pabda, Labea bata and freshwater lake. Primarily use of its catchment area Scampi. The lake comprises almost 52 comprises of forest, agriculture and species of indigenous and exotic fishes settlements, out of which almost 88% of as three rivulets and Gumti River the total area use in forest and through Karchi River serve as recruiter agriculture. Since the entire forest area of riverine fishes in the lake. Around 14 of Rudrasagar catchment falls under different species of aquatic open category, so it’s highly degraded microphytes are found in the lake; due to various anthropogenic factors some of them are emergent, such intensive jhuming as hill slope submerged, free-floating and rooted support good bamboo forests. Earlier in floating leaf types. Trape and Euryle 1950s this wetland recorded more than ferox which are economically 1,000 hectare but within a span of five important plant species are also found decades it has reduced to one-tenth of abundantly in the shallower region of its total area. the lake. Phytoplankton form integral components of freshwater wetlands Pala wetland that significantly contribute towards The Pala Tipo Lake, largest succession of zooplankton and fish (Paynne, 1997). The lake also provide wetland of Mizoram state of Northeast refuge to large number of both resident India; surrounded by lush forest with and migratory waterbird species such rich biodiversity of flora and fauna. as herons, cormorants, coots, Large This recently designated as Ramsar site Whistling Teal, Hooded crane and situated in the Phura village in the variety of ducks and geese. Siaha district in Mizoram. This wetland is home to at least seven mammals, 222 50