Godavari estuary in Andhra Pradesh has become prime habitat for Indian Skimmer, says expert

Godavari estuary in Andhra Pradesh has become prime habitat for Indian Skimmer, says expert

Subject: Environment

Section Species in news, Protected area in news

Context:

• The Godavari estuary in Andhra Pradesh has become a prime and safe habitat for the Indian Skimmer (Rynchopsalbicollis), according to the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

Details:

• Six tagged Indian Skimmers have been sighted during this census so far and five of them were tagged in the Mahanadi area and one in the Chambal area.
• Indian Skimmer migrates to the Godavari estuary for feeding.
• Great Knot and Caspian Terns have been sighted in good numbers during the census.

About Indian Skimmer (Rynchopsalbicollis):

• Another common name for Indian skimmers is Indian scissors bill.
• They are more widespread in winter; the Indian skimmer is found in the coastal estuaries of western and eastern India.
• The species can be sighted near the Chambal River in Central India, in few parts of Odisha and in Andhra Pradesh.

Major Threats:

• Habitat degradation, excessive and widespread increases in disturbances near the rivers.

Protection Status:

• IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
• CITES: Not listed

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary:

• The Government declared a part of the Godavari mangrove system asCoringa Wildlife Sanctuary in 1978 to rehabilitate the salt water crocodile and to protect the other endangered species, such as Olive Ridley turtles and Indian Otter.
• About 120 species of resident and migratory birds depend on this area for breeding and nesting.

Asian Waterbird Census:

• Every January, thousands of volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds.
• This citizen-science programme supports the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
• The AWC is an integral part of the global waterbird monitoring programme, the International Waterbird Census (IWC), coordinated by Wetlands International.