White Bellied Heron Spotted In Kamlang Tiger Reserve – Free PDF Download

• The white-bellied heron, a critically endangered species with arguably a population of about 250 spread across the world, has been spotted in Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The youngest reserve in the state under the centrally-funded Project Tiger programme, sighted this bird recently while forest officials were on the trail of the big cat in the core area of the reserve.

• Experts have opined that the presence of the birds in the undisturbed core area has been a blessing for the species as they can flourish in this habitation.

About the Heron

• The white-bellied heron (Ardea insignis) is also known as the imperial heron or great white-bellied heron.
• The bird was seen perching on a rock amid a water body with a picturesque background. The clip shows the endangered bird for only a few seconds before it flew away into the wilderness.
• The white-bellied heron has been listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List since 2007. Their global population is estimated at less than 300 mature individuals.
• The bird is mostly plain dark grey with a white throat and underparts. The crown of the white-bellied heron is dark and there are no black stripes on the neck as in the grey heron.
• They are mostly found in wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas of India and Myanmar. Some white-bellied herons are also spotted in sub-tropical areas of Bhutan.
• Their dwindling number has been liked to widespread loss, degradation, and disturbance of forest and wetlands.

Threats

• Loss and degradation of lowland forests and wetlands through direct exploitation and disturbance by humans.
• Natural forest fires have destroyed nests of Heron.

Significance of sighting

• The recent sighting at a height of 1,200 metres above sea level is a first at such a higher elevation in India.
• The presence of nesting sites within this area is a positive sign for the future habitat as the breeding season of the white-bellied heron starts in February and lasts till June.
• It is great news that the critically endangered bird is establishing new habitat beyond its traditional range.

Kamlang Tiger Reserve

• The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1989. It is named after the Kamlang River that flows through it.
• The reserve is situated in the south-eastern part of the Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh and covers 783 square kilometers (302 square miles) in area.

• It is surrounded by the Lang River on the Northern side and Namdapha National Park on the Southern side. It is one of the 12 protected areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The park has a number of elevated water bodies, including Glow Lake. The lake covers an area of 8 square kilometers and is accessible only by trekking.
• The pristine lake is one of the major attractions of the sanctuary. However, the lack of a proper trekking route prevents most tourists from witnessing the beautiful lake.
• Kamlang Tiger Reserve is rich in flora and fauna and is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals.
  • Though small in area, the reserve houses four big cat species of India- tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, and snow leopard.
  • The reserve is reported to have 61 species of mammals, 105 species of bird, and 20 species of reptiles.
  • The Kamlang Tiger Reserve is rich in flora too. The upper reaches of the reserve have Alpine vegetation, while the lower reaches have tropical and evergreen forests.
  • It produces trees like Canarium resiniferum, Amoora wallichii, Gmelina arborea, and Terminalia chebula. There are about 150 tree species in the area.

Question:
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve is located in which state of India:

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Bihar
3. Karnataka
4. Assam

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