Asian Waterbird Census

Asian Waterbird Census

Subject – Environment

Context – The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), an annual count of waterbirds which is under way in parts of Delhi-NCR, has found lower waterbird species diversity at East Delhi’s Sanjay Lake when compared to the count from the past three years.

Concept –

• The AWC is conducted in January each year and is coordinated by the Wetlands International South Asia and the Bombay Natural History Society.
  • It is part of the International Waterbird Census, coordinated by Wetlands International.
• Every January, thousands of volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds. This citizen science programme is the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC).
• It was initiated in 1987 in the Indian subcontinent and has grown rapidly to cover major regions of Asia, from Afghanistan eastwards to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australasia.
• The census covers the entire East Asian – Australasian Flyway and a large part of the Central Asian Flyway.

Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) at Delhi-NCR

• The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), an annual count of waterbirds which is under way in parts of Delhi-NCR, has found lower waterbird species diversity at East Delhi’s Sanjay Lake when compared to the count from the past three years.
• The lower species diversity is a sign of degradation of the lake, since waterbirds are an indicator of its health.
• Sanjay Lake, which spans 17 hectares, is maintained by the Delhi Development Authority. It is among the water bodies that the Wetland Authority of Delhi had recently identified for notification as a wetland.
• The two migratory species recorded were the Great Cormorant, which migrates from Southeast Asia, and the Eurasian Coot, which migrates from Temperate Asia.
  • The resident species found at the lake include the Common Moorhen, the Indian Cormorant, the White-throated Kingfisher, the White-breasted Waterhen, the Little Grebe, and the Red-wattled Lapwing. While the Indian Spot-billed Duck is usually common in such wetlands.
• The census, which began on January 2 and will conclude on January 16, is being carried out across seven wetlands in the NCR — Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary; Dhanauri and Surajpur wetlands in Greater Noida; Delhi Zoo and Sanjay Lake; Okhla Bird Sanctuary; NajafgarhJheel; and the Yamuna River.

Sanjay Lake

• Sanjay Lake is an artificial lake developed by Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in Trilokpuri in East Delhi, India, adjoining MayurVihar II residential area.
• The lake attracts some migratory birds and has many indigenous trees.