India's one third bird species in Sundarban : ZSI Report
Zoological survey of India has recently published one of its major study titled "Birds of the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve" regarding bird species geographical distribution in india. According to the study, out of the 1,332 species of birds found in the country, 428 species are in Sundarbans that accounts for one third of India's bird species.
Findings of the study :
About kingfishers : The study states that nine out of the 12 species of kingfishers are found in the Sunderbans. Nine species of kingfishers are found in the mangroves.
About goliath heron and spoon billed sandpiper : The Sunderbans mangrove forest, which is one of the largest such forest in the world, is also an important habitat for goliath heron and spoon billed sandpiper. The elusive masked finfoot can also be spotted here.
About buffy fish owl : Zsi study says that there are some species which are found only in Sunderbans like the buffy fish owl. It is found in other south east Asian countries but in India, its home is in Sunderbans.
About Sunderban area :
The Sundarbans covers 10,000 km2 of land and water (more than half of it in India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the Ganges delta. It contains the world's largest area of mangrove forests. A number of rare or endangered species live in the park, including tigers, aquatic mammals, birds and reptiles.
The Sundarbans contain the world's largest mangrove forests and one of the most biologically productive of all natural ecosystems. Located at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers between India and Bangladesh, its forest and waterways support a wide range of' fauna including a number of species threatened with extinction. Sunderban is also known for its water monitor lizards.
The Sajnakhali area, listed as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife international contains a wealth of waterfowl and is of high importance for migratory birds.
Mangrove treasure in Sunderban :
According to UNESCO , Some 78 species of mangroves have been recorded in the area making it the richest mangrove forest in the world. It is also unique as the mangroves are not only dominant as fringing mangroves along the creeks and backwaters, but also grow along the sides of rivers in muddy as well as in flat, sandy areas.
