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The Indian Bird Conservation Network
Martin Fowlie
April 2010
About this report
The Important Bird Area (IBA) Programme of BirdLife International aims to identify, monitor and
protect a global network of IBAs for the conservation of the world's birds and other biodiversity.
IBAs are key sites for conservation – small enough to be conserved in their entirety and often
already part of a Protected Area network.
Working in partnership with communities and other stakeholders at IBAs towards shared
objectives of conservation and sustainable resource management is one of a range of different
approaches being adopted by BirdLife Partners to help conserve IBAs. Working with people at
IBAs helps to engage a mainly local constituency in IBA conservation. It builds on what are often
strong connections – be they economic, cultural, and historical – between people and the sites
where they live, work and engage in recreation.
The way in which BirdLife Partners work with, coordinate and support individuals and groups
involved in the IBA Local Conservation Group (IBA LCG) approach varies across the BirdLife
network, reflecting the diverse contexts of the over 100 countries where BirdLife Partners are
working. However, shared features include: the attachment to a particular IBA, a commitment
to support the IBA’s conservation and sustainable use, a link to the national BirdLife Partner, and
being compromised mainly of volunteers. In Europe these local volunteers are known as IBA
Caretakers, in Africa they are known as Site Support Groups, and other terms are used to
describe them regionally and nationally within BirdLife.
Several BirdLife Partners are demonstrating success in establishing and coordinating Local
Conservation Networks. This report is part of a project which aims to capture, document and
disseminate these experiences and the lessons learned from them. The review is part of a
project funded by the Aage V. Jensen Foundation.
The report has been written by Martin Fowlie (Communications Officer at BirdLife International)
with valuable input from Bombay Natural History Society and Indian Bird Conservation Network
members. I am particularly grateful for the help of Asif Hazarika in Assam; to Dr Rahmani for his
help in planning and his hospitality; and to Ian Barber (RSPB) for his advice and comments.
Contents
1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1
2 INDIAN BIRD CONSERVATION NETWORK (IBCN) ................................................................................ 3
2.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION .................................................................................................................. 3 2.2 A PROFILE OF MEMBERS AND GROUPS ....................................................................................................... 4 2.3 WORK OF GROUPS................................................................................................................................. 5
2.3.1 Monitoring of IBAs .................................................................................................................. 5 2.3.2 Conservation Education and awareness raising ..................................................................... 6 2.3.3 Establishment of Site Support Groups .................................................................................... 6 2.3.4 Preparation of Management plan .......................................................................................... 6
3 COMMUNICATION, COORDINATION, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ..................................... 7
3.1 STATE COORDINATORS AND MEMBERS ...................................................................................................... 7 3.2 THE IBCN WEBSITE ............................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 MISTNET ............................................................................................................................................. 8
4 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE IBCN............................................................................................................... 9
5 FINANCING AND SUSTAINABILITY ....................................................................................................... 9
5.1 FINANCES ............................................................................................................................................ 9 5.2 STRENGTHS AND BENEFITS .................................................................................................................... 10 5.3 WEAKNESSES ..................................................................................................................................... 10
6 IBCN – SUMMARY OF LESSONS LEARNED ......................................................................................... 11
ANNEX 1: STORIES AND CASE STUDIES ....................................................................................................... 12
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1 Introduction
India, is a mega-diversity country, and is among the top ten nations in terms of the richest biodiversity. Its
immense biological diversity represents about 7% of the world’s flora and 6.5% of the world’s fauna. There are
about 614 species of amphibian and reptile, 1,225 species of birds and 350 species of animal in India. The
country also has 13 species of bird listed as Critically Endangered and 173 species of mammal are considered
threatened.
The Important Bird Area (IBA) programme was the first comprehensive study in which IBA sites were identified
for bird conservation in India on the basis of globally accepted criteria. Four hundred and sixty six sites were
identified throughout the country, covering almost all threatened species, restricted range species, biome-
assemblages and congregatory species (mainly wetland birds) of India. This list, however, is dynamic and not a
fixed list of sites. It is anticipated that several new IBAs will be included once the bird monitoring programme is
fully-functioning and more surveys are carried out, especially in those areas which have not been properly
surveyed for birds. The publication in 2004 of Important Bird Areas in India: Priority sites for conservation, gave
a baseline to improve knowledge on birds, especially threatened species. As new sites are located, the
database on IBAs and on birds will improve. Several State level IBA publications are now in the
planning/production stage and will add to this original inventory.
The original analysis of these 466 IBAs shows that 425 sites have globally threatened species, 205 sites hold
restricted range species, and 99 sites qualify biome-restricted assemblages, and 136 sites fit the congregatory
bird criteria. Many sites fit more than one criterion, and some sites qualify on all the four criteria.
Around 90% of IBAs in India are important for one or more of the 78 globally threatened species in India and
47% for the 74 restricted range species found in India. Almost all IBAs fall under at least one biome and hold
some of the 374 bird species that fall in the biome criterion. The IBAs are also important for species that
congregate in large numbers, such as congregatory terrestrial birds, wintering and passage waterbirds and
breeding seabirds. Almost 17% of the IBAs have been identified for these species.
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IBAs in India by state
State Total Wildlife
Sanctuaries
National
Parks
Tiger
Reserves
Not
Officially
Protected
Andaman and Nicobar Islands 19 6 4 0 9
Andhra Pradesh 16 11 1 1 3
Arunachal Pradesh 28 9 1 1 17
Assam 46 13 4 1 28
Bihar 11 3 0 1 7
Chhattishgarh 4 3 0 1 0
Delhi 1 1 0 0 0
Goa 4 3 0 0 1
Gujarat 17 6 3 0 8
Haryana 5 2 1 0 2
Himachal Pradesh 27 24 2 0 1
Jammu and Kashmir 21 6 3 0 12
Jharkand 3 2 0 1 0
Karnataka 37 15 4 2 16
Kerala 24 11 2 1 10
Lakshadweep 1 0 0 0 1
Madhya Pradesh 17 5 1 4 7
Maharastra 20 8 2 2 8
Manipur 9 5 1 0 3
Meghalaya 9 1 2 0 6
Mizoram 6 2 2 1 1
Nagaland 9 3 1 0 5
Orissa 7 3 2 1 1
Pondicherry 2 0 0 0 2
Punjab 3 1 0 0 2
Rajasthan 24 8 2 2 12
Sikkim 11 6 1 0 4
Tamil Nadu 34 8 4 1 21
Tripura 2 2 0 0 0
Uttar Pradesh 25 16 1 0 8
Uttaranchal 14 5 5 1 3
West Bengal 10 3 3 2 2
Total 466 191 52 23 200
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2 Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN)
2.1 Background Information
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is one of the largest membership-based conservation Non
Governmental Organisations (NGO) in India and is the oldest organisation in the BirdLife Partnership, having
recently celebrated its 125th
anniversary. The Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) was established in 1998
by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in collaboration with BirdLife International and the RSPB
(BirdLife in the UK). It is a network of NGOs and individuals coordinated by BNHS. It is formally constituted and
until recently had a Project Manager and Assistant, employed by BNHS with funding from the RSPB to
coordinate its activities via a network of volunteer State Coordinators.
The network was created principally to monitor and safeguard IBAs and was developed to provide local
knowledge for the publication of Important Bird Areas in Indian – Priority Sites for Conservation. However, it
has now developed into something more than its original aim, and now includes a number of passionate
individuals who want to learn and understand more about conservation work.
There are lots of site and species conservation initiatives across India but there was nothing on the scale of
IBCN, using a network approach to site conservation. The development of IBCN aimed to create an unique
grassroots mechanism for applying a common approach to site condition monitoring and undertaking sound
conservation action across India.
The IBCN is now one of the leading membership networks in India, with about 80 organisational and 700
individual members. To date more than 2,000 bird enthusiasts have joined IBCN.
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2.2 A profile of members and groups
Logos of IBCN organisational partners
IBCN members constitute two main groups: organisations and individuals. Organisations are most often nature
groups who are based in particular areas and engage in work at specific IBAs or sometimes a network of
several IBAs. Many operate as or coordinate small groups of individuals responsible for monitoring and
censusing.
Example: Mandar Nature Club (MNC), in Bihar state, regularly monitors several IBAs, including Vikramshila
Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, Kusheshwarsthan, Kawar Lake Bird sanctuary, Chaurs of North Bihar, Kursela
River course and Diara Flood Plains and Danapur Cantonment Area. At these sites they work as
SSGs,regularly highlighting the status and threats. They engage with the local media and do advocacy at
the level of State Forest and Tourism departments, the local police and civil administration and other
decision makers. Their aim is the protection of species and habitats and development of the sites,
promoting bird watching and generating awareness. MNC involve local NGOs and communities in their
efforts. Regular censuses are carried out under the Asian Waterbird Census program for Wetlands
International. A recent success has been at Kursela River and Diara Flood plains, where MNC discovered a
large colony of Greater Adjutants breeding. It generated a tremendous amount of awareness to protect
these birds and as a result the population is increasing, despite the species decreasing elsewhere in the
state.
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Individual members are from a wide variety of backgrounds but have the common interest in birds. Members
are predominantly male (60-80%) and reasonably well educated. Most have a university degree (For example,
85% in Pondicherry state) and many have a further degree or level of professional training. They are also
relatively affluent, with most coming from middle income backgrounds (95% in Bihar and Jharkhand; 90% in
Pondicherry). Some are engaged in site monitoring and protection but many have joined to learn more about
conservation through reading Mistnet. For some, this is their only contact with IBCN. Most that I met showed a
keenness in developing their skills in conservation and wanted training and participation in relevant workshops
to help them in protecting sites and species locally.
2.3 Work of groups
Every group and every site is different; however the intention was for IBCN members to perform the following
activities at Important Bird Areas.
2.3.1 Monitoring of IBAs
In order to study the state of IBAs, regular monitoring should be carried out. The monitoring will generate
baseline data and then from this help to understand changes in bird populations and the species composition.
Changes in habitat will be monitored and any threats assessed. All this information should pass to State
Coordinators and then to BNHS.
Example: Sri Kushal Chandra Boruah is 22 and an IBCN member. He lives locally to Kaziranga National Park
in Assam, and grew up with a keen interest in birds. He now has a career as a bird guide. His only contact
with IBCN is his quarterly edition of Mistnet and he desperately wants more information on IBCN. Abidur
Rahman is 29 and also a bird guide. He wants to see more money from the increase in tourism to Assam
going to local people so that they are encouraged to protect species and habitat, as already happens at
Eaglenest in Arunachal Pradesh. He thinks IBCN has the most potential of all conservation groups to make a
difference regionally and sees his joining as a “platform to launch a bird career”. He is hopeful for IBCN
training in the future and would like to see the provision of community-based optics equipment so that
monitoring could be more effective. Abidur has had some phone contact with his State Coordinator and
attended a talk by the SC on Birds of Assam and IBAs. He regularly read Mistnet and is keen to contribute.
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In reality, this hasn’t worked as hoped. Data gathering has not been systematically and is often sporadic. The
focus has been on threatened species but members often send in data on common species.
As data is sent in in hard copy it is time consuming for staff to enter it all electronically.
2.3.2 Conservation Education and awareness raising
The majority of IBAs are surrounded by human habitation. Awareness raising about these IBAs among local
communities is crucial for their conservation. Groups should attempt to organise conservation education
programmes for students (schools and colleges) and residents, through field visits, slide talks, and exhibitions.
There has been much success in this area and there are good examples of IBCN members conducting
successful education programmes (see Appendix 1).
2.3.3 Establishment of Site Support Groups
Site Support Groups (as defined by BNHS) are organised, independent groups of voluntary individuals who
work in partnership with relevant stakeholders, to promote conservation and sustainable development at IBAs
and other key biodiversity sites. They are one of the practical ways of achieving conservation by the local
communities.
The small number of groups I met differed greatly in composition and were very diverse. While all were
voluntary, one was made up of relatively affluent members with their own vehicles, covering a number of sites
over a reasonably wide geographic area. In Assam, groups comprised of local villagers with a direct connection
to their local IBA, usually through fishing and water supply. However, all groups see a need for low levels of
funding for their work to continue. Many groups across India appear to act entirely independently of
BNHS/IBCN, with this just being an umbrella of sorts. However, in Assam, coordination between local groups
and BNHS was far greater due the presence of a staff member who conducts regular meeting with groups for
encouragement and advice.
2.3.4 Preparation of Management plan
In order to preserve IBAs a detailed management plan should be developed in consultation with local forest
department and other stakeholders.
While there are liaisons with for example, local forest departments, it was unclear to me how much detailed
planning was undertaken at each specific IBA.
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3 Communication, coordination, management and development
The coordination, communication and development of the network are the responsibility of a Project
Manager. However, this position has been vacant for the past year and so the role is being partly carried out
by BNHS Director, Dr Rahmani. He liaises with State Coordinators and provides information to them that
should be of interest to members. It is then the responsibility of state coordinators to pass this to their IBCN
state members.
Recruitment of someone to this post should be one of the highest priorities. This will then provide someone
who is in constant contact with the members and makes field visits with State Coordinators (SCs) to see first
hand the issues in each State. This will lead to a more cohesive network, where SCs and members feel more in
touch with BNHS.
Most State Coordinators were happy with the level of contact they had from BNHS (i.e. through phone and
email and occasional visits) but the suggestion is that there could be more direction and cohesiveness in IBCN
planning.
3.1 State Coordinators and members
State Coordinators meet on a semi-regular basis and this is important to agree strategy and to offer support
and the exchange of ideas. The IBCN represents such a diverse set of groups and individuals that
communication and coordination is often difficult.
State Coordinators are there to provide the conduit between BNHS and individual members and the flow of
information should go both ways.
There is much variation between State Coordinators in how much contact is made with both BNHS and within-
state IBCN members. Obviously, different State Coordinators have differing levels of resources and available
time to give, but SCs are encouraged to be as dynamic as possible.
Example: Arvind Mishra, State Coordinator for Bihar and Jharkand, has regular contact with BNHS staff.
“Almost 20 days a month”, and communicates “by phone calls, emails and visits”. He has regular contact
with his state members through “emails, phone calls and site visits”. Emails are important as almost all of
his members have access to the internet.
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3.2 The IBCN website
The IBCN has a website (www.ibcn.in ). While there is a fair
amount of content, much is out of date and there doesn’t
appear to be an attempt to keep the site fresh and updated. For
example, the pages on workshops relate to events that
happened about seven years ago and the news pages aren’t
functioning. Some simple free tools are now available such as
RSS feeds and Google reader, which could generate quick
relevant content for users and maintain an updated feel for little effort.
3.3 Mistnet
Mistnet is the quarterly newsletter of the IBCN. It contains articles and information on bird species (threatened
and common), Important Bird Areas along with conservation issues and advocacy for the protection of
biodiversity and their habitat.
Mistnet provides a great way of communicating and disseminating information to the IBCN membership and
everyone I spoke to was very positive about the magazine. Members said it provided a great way to learn
about Indian conservation and to find out what work other IBCN members were involved with.
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4 Achievements of the IBCN
• The publication in 2004 of Important Bird Areas in India: Priority sites for conservation.
• Ongoing and planned publication of updated IBA directories for individual States
• The development and maintenance of a conservation network in such a diverse country.
• The quarterly publication of Mistnet, with its relevant and interesting content.
• Some very positive education programmes in place.
• Membership remains very cheap and affordable at 150 rupees per year.
• Raising the alarm on threats to IBAs. e.g. Naupada Swamps in Andhra Pradesh.
• Organisation of training workshops in several states
• Publication of the Anatidae Atlas of India, which shows the countrywide distribution and count of
Swans, Geese and Ducks
• Lobbying for the protection of the unprotected IBA sites at both the National and State level by
preparing brochures, pamphlets and conducting nation-wide meetings
5 Financing and sustainability
5.1 Finances
The Darwin Initiative (UK) Fund assisted project, “Strengthening the Indian Bird Conservation Network to
Safeguard Key Sites” was implemented during 1 April 2005 to 30 June 2008. This project was aimed at
enhancing the capacity of the Indian Bird Conservation Network (IBCN) to safeguard Important Bird Areas
(IBAs) throughout mainland. The Project was implemented in association with the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK).
About 350 IBCN members participated in a total of 13 workshops held in different parts of India. The three
main themes of the workshops were; how to sustain your NGO, monitoring of IBAs and communicating
conservation. Individual topics included; the role and responsibilities of IBCN, site support group (SSG), media
and advocacy, organisational development, business planning, fund raising, use of GIS in IBA conservation and
monitoring of IBAs. These workshops provided an extremely valuable opportunity for members to interact,
share experience and learn from one another.
Funding has now ended and another source would seem to be the single most important thing that IBCN
needs to maintain and develop.
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All levels of funding are needed. One thing that was repeated several times by several people was that there is
a critical need for small amounts of money to cover the basic costs of people carrying out monitoring work,
e.g. petrol and food. Dr Choudhury, Assam State coordinator, drew a parallel with the Asian Waterbird Census,
which he also coordinates in Assam. Initially, there was lots of interest and participation, but this has dwindled
over time. Covering of costs for members would help stem this decrease in interest.
In light of this, State coordinators should try to access local funding sources to cover these costs and also the
costs of arranging regional meetings and workshops.
5.2 Strengths and benefits
The following are anonymous comments from State Coordinators made on an online survey that was
conducted on IBCN:
“It is the best available network as of now as it embraces small, local conservation groups like no other
network in the country.”
“Information on what is happening in other parts of India and communication with other bird watchers.”
“The casual hobby of birdwatching is turned into the serious study and conservation of birds.”
“It develops a sense of authority and responsibility.”
“It helps develop the skills of methodical study (survey, census, data compilation etc.). “
“It is backed up by national and international organisations like BNHS, BirdLife, and RSPB that help in advocacy
for IBAs and species.”
5.3 Weaknesses
The following are anonymous comments from State Coordinators made on an online survey that was
conducted on IBCN:
“Lack of communication and coordination.”
“Difficulty in agreeing a common position on issues due to diversity of membership”
“People do not mind participating in activities but are reluctant to become or continue memberships since
many are students from other states and are a transient population. Permanent residents are not interested”
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“They (group members) are lacking the infrastructure, equipment and resources to increase the scale of their
work and sometimes their occupation does not allow them much time to work on the IBAs.”
“Some members have a reluctance to share data/information and don't see the benefits or the bigger picture
and hence work in a bubble.”
“Communication is the biggest problem both from BNHS to State Coordinators to IBCN members and vice
versa. A lot of members only respond when chased for information/participation”
6 IBCN – Summary of lessons learned
• There is an urgent need to recruit a dedicated IBCN Coordinator who is in constant contact with the
members and makes field visits with State Coordinators to see first hand the issues in each State.
• Strong, involved and dynamic State coordinators are essential for the development and maintenance
of the IBCN. Alternatively, more outposted BNHS staff members such as in Assam, would help create a
more cohesive network.
• Periodic workshops and collective field visits are needed to develop the skill and confidence of the
members.
• These meetings provide an important chance for members to bond and learn from each other.
• Funding at all levels remains critical. However, small funds to cover petrol and food costs would have
an impact on retaining IBCN and SSG members. State Coordinators as well as BNHS need to be looking
at funding sources. SCs may be best place to get funds from regional sources.
• By giving small amounts of money, members feel a responsibility to carry out allotted tasks. This is
important for basic monitoring and policing.
• Lack of optical equipment for SSGs means that species monitoring can be difficult.
• Renewal of membership is a problem. The form should be made simpler.
• Communications material for local advocacy is important.
• Effective monitoring at IBAs has failed as it is not systematic and is episodic and individual based.
• The IBCN website needs to be regularly updated for it to be an effective communications tool.
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Annex 1: Stories and case studies
Case Study 1: Nature Conservation Society of Nashik
The morning started with much stopping and asking for directions as we entered the city of Nashik in
Maharashtra state. Everyone had an opinion on where we wanted to be but with a lack of street signs it’s not
always very clear. After much debate, we eventually drove down several side streets before arriving at the
desired destination: the headquarters of the Nature Conservation Society of Nashik (NCSN) and home of Mr.
Raha, its head, and state coordinator for the Indian Bird Conservation Network.
We were greeted by Mr. Raha and several members of the NCSN and ushered in to find out more about the
work they do. Over tea, we discussed NCSN’s projects and their development and future. Mr. Raha proved to
be a highly passionate and knowledgeable man able to enthuse others. This was apparent in the range of ages
and backgrounds of people we met on this visit involved in the various projects the group carries out.
When casually asked what the biggest threat to local bird populations was, there was no hesitation in Mr.
Raha’s answer: “the killing of birds by catapult.” I enquired as to whether this was subsistence hunting but
discovered that it was mostly carried out for fun and target practice. On asking what could be done, I got the
reply: “education is the key.”
The fundamental belief at NCSN is in education. The feeling is that in terms of making a difference locally,
nothing is really possible without it. Trying to find out more about how this was implemented I was told, “let
us show you”, and we jumped into the society’s four-wheel drive and headed out of town and into the
countryside.
Our first stop was at a country school. Pupils here came from very low-income families and lessons were being
conducted outside under shade. These children were from communities for whom catapult hunting was
common-place. NCSN had paid for and provided education materials to teach the children more about the
birds that are found locally and teach them about declining populations and the reasons for this. In doing this
they say they having an effect on the children’s behaviour, reducing the incidence of catapult hunting.
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Pointing at several species on a large poster, the children were able to give the names in Hindi and knew
details about many of the species. Inside the classroom was also decorated with paintings of birds, such as
peacocks and drongos, and learning about local wildlife seems to play an important role in classroom teaching.
We moved from here up a winding hillside road to the
Borgad Conservation Reserve. This is one of several hill sites
rising up from the plateau covered in scrub forest and until
recently used by local communities for hunting and wood
collection.
The reserve is a four-way partnership between the Indian Air
Force, who maintain a radar station on the hills summit, the
Forest Department who own the land, local people who are
stakeholders and the NCSN who carry out the conservation
work and provide funds.
I asked Mr Raha why this site in particular had been chosen.
“I love it here. I used to cycle to the top of the hill and would
see so much wildlife. I saw leopards and wolves using the
road in the early mornings and there were lots of birds. The partnership works well, the Forest Department
and Air Force have been very positive about what we trying to achieve here.”
The NCSN has worked hard to restore the natural woodland. Forty thousand native trees such as rosewood
and teak have been planted. Fruit trees have also been planted so that local communities can benefit from
their produce. Each newly-planted tree has a plaque with the trees Latin and Hindi name,
NCSN employs five wardens from local communities to patrol the reserve and make sure that hunting and
illegal wood cutting doesn’t happen. These men also carry out basic bird surveys so that rough estimates of
populations can be established as well as a species list for the site.
By midday, we stopped under a large tree for shade and sat on a wall scanning the hillside. Little Bee-eaters
called from overhead wires and we discussed the importance of the area for migratory birds. We’d seen
several European Rollers on our way up the hill and Mr. Raha told me that they are always here on passage for
the same few days each year.
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Struggling slightly in the heat, I’d wandered off down the road, when I heard the shout of “vultures!” Looking
overhead I saw five Indian Vultures
riding the thermals created by the hill.
These Critically Endangered birds are
what remain of a once much larger local
breeding population. Turning away I
spotted two displaying Bonelli’s Eagles,
which marked a fitting end to this visit.
Winding our way back down the hill,
peacocks called unseen from the scrub.
Our next stop was NCSN’s education
centre. Situated on the edge of a large
wetland, this is where NCSN have taken
their education programme to the next level. The group currently visits five local schools to engage in
awareness-raising but as they admit this only goes so far. So what they have done is to build an education
centre with its own campground, where they bring groups of school children. “Most children will not have
heard of an IBA, let alone been to one” but over a two day visit (including a night’s camping) children are taken
to visit three IBAs; Borgad Conservation reserve and two wetland areas. “How can you explain what a wetland
is like, you need to take the children there and show them”, says Mr. Raha. “Showing them the sight of 20,000
wildfowl is something they don’t forget!”
In the late afternoon, we drive to the shores of the lake; the scalding of Long-tailed Shrikes is everywhere. We
suddenly disturb a large flock of Short-toed Larks from the short grass they shimmer in heat as they move
away.
I ask Mr. Raha what his future aims are for the education programme. “I want to have a hundred thousand
children visit the sites and take part in our programme. It is important that they learn about the amazing place
they live, so they will take responsibility for it.”
But at 200 rupees per child, per visit, it is unclear how this number of children visiting will be funded. The work
of NCSN is currently 50% self-financed (from personal monies) and the remaining half is funded through
sponsorship from local business. As Mr. Raha, himself points out due to this situation the group’s finances are
finite.
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We head our separate ways, driving through farmland. To my uninitiated eye there do seem to be more birds
here than elsewhere. So maybe the benefits of this programme are already being seen.
Case study 2: Panidehing Bird Sanctuary
This site of almost 4,000 hectares is situated 17 km north of the town
of Sibsagar in Assam. It lies on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and
is a swampy flood plain with areas of more open water. The land is
owned by the Forestry Department and there are some fishing leases
given around the edges but not within the wildlife sanctuary itself.
However, given the size and difficulty in moving around the site, the
policing of illegal activity such as hunting and fishing is difficult.
Arriving at the end of the track, only swampy marsh land was visible. A
deeper channel made some shallow boat navigation possible, and it
took one of these to ferry our party across to an area of raised ground
were we were able walk out across a series of small islands to
investigate the site further.
The edges of the swamp were teeming with White Wagtails and a
variety of waders including large numbers of Temminck’s Stint. After half an hour’s walk, our guide Mr. Gogoi
gestured for us to remove our shoes and
roll up our trousers and then strode of into
the swamp. Hesitantly we followed.
We were soon knee-deep in the IBA and
got to see firsthand what an amazing site
this was. In the swamp itself Citrine
Wagtails replaced the White and the air
was full of wildfowl. Herons and egrets
flew overhead and there was constant
calling from all around. To me the site
seemed impressive enough, but Mr. Gogoi assured me that I was a month too early. Many thousands more
ducks and geese would be arriving in the coming weeks.
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After an exhausting couple of hours under a hot sun, we returned to the car and drove to the next village to
meet the Site Support Group taking charge at Panidehing Bird Sanctuary.
I was invited into a house where I met several of the group ‘Nature’s Care and Friend’ and discussed their work
and achievements and as with everywhere I visited in Assam we were soon served tea and a large plate of
delicious food.
The group was formed by concerned locals, worried by over-exploitation at the sanctuary. Illegal fishing and
hunting were proving problematic. This Site Support Group is currently entirely self-financed, through small
financial contributions from villagers and through the profits from a small tea concern owned by the group’s
secretary, Mukunda Hazarika.
The group was established nine years ago but has been particularly active for the past three, producing posters
and leaflets to educate local villagers about their environment.
The group maintains a small building in the village for meetings and education, and on top of the
environmental side of their work, they also provide health information for local villagers, such as the benefits
of breast-feeding. They also have access to a computer in a neighbouring village.
While not the closest village to the sanctuary, the villagers were concerned by what was happening and
decided to act. Through advocacy and awareness-raising at villages bordering the sanctuary and engaging with
the people who live there, they have managed to significantly reduce the winter hunting of waders and
wildfowl.
The group was extremely enthusiastic about their work, but were also concerned for the future. We had much
discussion of possible financing mechanisms for the group as they were keen to find other sources of funding
to continue and expand their work. As with many of the people that I met in Assam they talked about opening
the site to avitourism and were keen to pursue this. However, there are difficulties associated with this. It is a
difficult site to access and most birds remain distant. It is also one of several similar sites along the
Brahmaputra flood plain and so would compete with these for presumably meagre numbers of tourists.
The talk ended with the presentation of a gamucha, an Assamese scarf given as a token of esteem and honour
to visitors. As I left, the head of the group, Mr. Hatibaruah urged me to tell people about their work and to
help them raise money to help them continue what they feel to be vital to their community.
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Case Study 3: Jajimukh IBA – Missamari Wetland, Assam
This site of 350 hectares is a natural wetland surrounded by grassland and rice paddies and is very important
for migratory wildfowl. The land is owned by the civil administration department which in turns leases it to
fishing contractors. Katekee Environment Conservation Forum is the Site Support Group that operates here
and is made up of 35 local people whose aim is to raise local awareness about the importance of the site and
to stop the hunting of birds and illegal fishing and buffalo grazing. The group is visited every 2-3 weeks by
BNHS’s Asif Hazarika, who provides support, encouragement and link to the wider network. The group works
on an entirely voluntary basis but as elsewhere in Assam they are keen to develop some form of bird tourism,
perhaps linking with other sites.
Driving along the raised bank in the
4x4, I could see swampy wetland on
both sides, regularly punctuated by
small dwellings, often on stilts. At
what seemed to be the end of the
track, we stopped the car and made
our way down the steep
embankment towards the house of
Mr Hafijuramen the Vice-President
of the Katakee Environment
Conservation Forum. As with
everywhere we visited we were shown the most amazing hospitality. After the de rigeur tea, we followed Mr
Hafijuramen along a small path leading away from the house out towards the swamp.
As it became increasingly muddy we resorted to bare feet and eventually came to a slightly deeper channel
where several flat-bottomed dugout canoes were moored. Getting in proved to be a tricky balancing act but
after some nervous rocking of the canoe, Mr Hafijuramen expertly set us off into the swamp using a large
bamboo pole to propel the craft.
What followed was one of the most interesting natural history experiences of my life. After the fear of possible
capsizing had abated or at least been resigned to, I was able to appreciate the sheer beauty and diversity of
this site. Being at almost water level in the canoe gave me a duck’s eye view of the swamp. Thick, thorn-
covered lily pads covered whole areas and moving forward often required great strength to force the boat
through. Jacanas trotted away from us as we appeared and several thousand whistling-ducks whirled around
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us calling. Several White-throated Kingfishers ignored us and remained perched as we slid by and a dozen
different species of dragonflies darted around the boat.
It wasn’t just birds and insects. There
were also a couple of hundred domestic
Water Buffalo snorting and wallowing in
the swamp. As we passed another boat,
Mr Hafijuramen engaged two men in
conversation. They looked rather
embarrassed, but I couldn’t understand
any of what passed between them.
Later Asif told me that the men were
illegally grazing buffalo and that Mr
Hafijuramen had reminded them
politely but firmly that this was to stop.
After a couple of hours, we headed back to Mr Hafijuramen house for dinner and a chat and to meet Ananta
Datta the General Secretary. Both he and Mr Hafijuramen are teachers at the local school and are hoping to
bring some conservation lessons in to the curriculum. We spent some time discussing the site and its
problems, but both men seemed very positive about the future. However, all is still voluntary and the group is
keen to raise funds to cover costs in the future.