Current Affairs
Daily Bits

Rare White-Bellied Heron in Arunachal Pradesh

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    3rd May, 2021

The white-bellied heron, a rare and elusive bird, was spotted at Walong, that is around 557 kilometres from the state capital, in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Context

The white-bellied heron, a rare and elusive bird, was spotted at Walong, that is around 557 kilometres from the state capital, in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.

About the white-bellied heron

  • Habitat: It is one of the rarest birds in the world and is found only in Bhutan, Myanmar and the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Conservation Status: It is categorised as ‘critically endangered’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Data Book.
    • It is also listed in Schedule IV in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Significance of the recent sighting

  • The recent sighting at a height of 1,200 meters above sea level is a first at such a higher elevation in India.
    • It had also been recorded in the adjacent Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Lohit district.
  • The presence of nesting sites within this area is a positive sign for the future habitat.
  • The breeding season of the white-bellied heron starts in February and lasts till June.
  • The critically endangered bird is establishing new habitats beyond its traditional range.
  • This epitomises the positive health of the forest ecosystem in this biodiversity-rich state.

Verifying, please be patient.

X