428 species of birds found in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve

According to a recent publication entitled “Birds of the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve”  released by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), the Sunderbans is home to 428 species of birds. One in three of the bird species of India are found in the unique ecosystem, with some of them being endemic to the region. The Indian Sundarbans is part of the largest mangrove forest in the world. 

The book not only documents the avifauna of the Sunderbans, but also serves as a comprehensive photographic field guide, with detailed distribution and locality data for all the species from the region with photographs of the males and females of various species. According to the authors, the book is meant to kindle interest and spread knowledge about birds among people from all walks of life — from forest staff to tourists to amateur birdwatchers. The publication has been compiled by three scientists — Kailash Chandra, Director, ZSI, Gopinathan Maheshwaran, head of the bird section of the ZSI, and Amitava Majumdar.

The Indian Sunderbans, which covers 4200 sq. km, also includes the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve of 2585 sq. km — home to about 96 royal Bengal tigers (as per the last census in 2020). It is a world heritage site and a Ramsar site (a wetland site designated to be of international importance). 

Some of the 428 birds listed in the book, like the masked finfoot and the Buffy fish owl, are found only in the Sunderbans. The area is home to nine out of 12 species of kingfishers found in the country as well rare species such as the Goliath heron and the spoon-billed sandpiper.

Highlighting the significance of the publication, Dr. Kailash Chandra said India has over 1300 species of birds and if 428 species of birds are from the Sunderbans, it means that one in every three birds in the country is found in the unique ecosystem. “The publication not only highlights the ecological and conservation aspect of the Sunderbans, but through detailed description of bird species and localities where they are found we want to encourage birdwatching,” Dr. Kailash Chandra said. 

Pointing out that scientists and nature lovers are observing the 125th birth anniversary year of Salim Ali, the Birdman of India, the ZSI Director said,  “Birdwatching not only brings people closer to nature, but also creates awareness and livelihood opportunities for the locals.”

Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, West Bengal, Ravi Kant Sinha said the Sundarbans are the most diverse of natural landscapes and accounts for 60% of all mangrove forests in the country. “The mudflats exposed in the low tides, rich in microorganism deposited during tidal activity, are ideal feeding for migratory birds. The mudflats and wetlands of the Sundarbans act as a stopover site for migratory birds,” Mr. Sinha added.

(This post is based on a report in The Hindu dated January 25, 2021.)