THE BIRDS OF NAMERI NATIONAL PARK-ASSAM,INDIA: AN ANNOTATED CHECKLIST1
NIRANJAN DAS2
Department of GeographyNorth-Eastern Hill University (NEHU)
Shillong-793022, INDIA
SUJATA DEORI
Department of GeographyNorth Gauhati College
North Guwahati-78403, Kamrup-Assam, INDIA
Abstract. Assam, comprising the eastern Himalayas, is one of the Mega bio-diversity hot spots of the world. It forms part of two bird areas, viz. eastern Himalayaand Assam plains, with many endemic species. Nameri National Park is a part of theNorth Bank Landscape (NBL) of Brahmaputra River bordering Assam and ArunachalPradesh as established by the World Wildlife Fund; it also is a part of the EasternHimalayan Bio-diversity Hotspot.
Detailed in this checklist are 374 avian species recorded in Nameri National Park.The list was compiled on the basis of fieldwork carried out in 1996-2003, as well astabulation of records by other observers. This includes, as reported in theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: eight globallythreatened species (White-winged Wood Duck (Cairina scutulata), Rufous-neckedHornbill (Aceros nipalensis), Pallas’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), White-rumpedVulture (Gyps bengalensis), Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), Greater SpottedEagle (Aquila clanga), Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) and Jerdon’s Babbler(Chrysomma altirostre); and five near threatened species (White-cheeked Partridge(Arborophila atrogularis), Black-bellied Tern (Sterna acuticauda), White-tailed Eagle(Haliaeetus albicilla), Lesser Fish Eagle (Ichthyophaga humilis) and Red-headed Vulture(Sarcogyps calvus). Annotations highlight the present status of avian species in NameriNational Park.
Key words: Assam, avian hotspots, India, Nameri National Park.
LAS AVES DEL PARQUE NACIONAL NAMERI-ASSAM, INDIA:UNA LISTA ANOTADA
Resumen. Assam, que incluye el Himalaya oriental, es uno de los “hot spots” megadiversos del planeta. Forma parte de dos áreas avifaunísticas, el Himalaya este y lasllanuras de Assam, con numerosos endemismos. El Parque Nacional Nameri es partedel North Bank Landscape (NBL) del Río Brahmaputra que bordea Assam yArunachal Pradesh según lo establecido por el World Wildlife Fund; también formaparte del Hotspot de Biodiversidad del Himalaya Oriental.
Detalladas en esta lista se encuentran 374 especies de aves registradas en el ParqueNacional Nameri. La lista fue recopilada en base a trabajo de campo llevado a cabo en1996-2003, así como mediante la tabulación de registros de otros observadores. Esto
____________________1Received 12 May 2010; accepted: 8 June 2010.2Corresponding author: [email protected]
INTRODUCTIONNameri National Park (latitude 26º51’ to 27º04’N, longitude 92º39’ to 92º59’ E) covers 200 km2 ofthe eastern Himalayan foothills in Assam (Fig.1). It is contiguous with Pakhui WildlifeSanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh to the north.Together they exceed 1,000 km2, ranging inaltitude from 79 to >1,500m. The park extendseast and south of the west bank of the Bor-Dikorai River from the interstate boundary atSijussa to the left bank of Jia-Bhorelli River alongthe north of Sikam Basti, up to the south bank ofBalipara Reserve Forest. The area is criss-crossed
by the Jia-Bhorelli River and its tributariesnamely Diji, Dinai, Doigurung, Nameri, Dikorai,Khari.
The terrain is undulating, with lower areas at80–100 m along the Jia-Bhorelli and its tributaries,and higher areas at 200–225m in the central andnorthern parts of the park. Soils are composed ofsand or sandy loam alluvial deposits. Numeroussmall rivers and perennial streams originating inArunachal Pradesh run through the park andfeed into the Jia-Bhorelli River. Many rivers shifttheir course during the rainy season and formdry riverbeds during winter.
NIRANJAN DAS AND SUJATA DEORI
[38]
incluye, como se reporta en la Lista Roja de la UICN: ocho especies globalmenteamenazadas (Cairina scutulata, Aceros nipalensis, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Gypsbengalensis, Gyps tenuirostris, Aquila clanga, Leptotilos dubius y Chrysomma altirostre); ycinco especies casi amenazadas (Arborophila atrogularis, Sterna acuticauda, Haliaeetusalbicilla, Ichthyophaga humilis, y Sarcogyps calvus). Las anotaciones resaltan el estadoactual de las especies de aves del Parque Nacional Nameri.
Palabras clave: Assam, hotspots de aves, India, Parque Nacional Nameri.
FIGURE 1. Location of Nameri National Park and distribution of habitats.
The subtropical monsoon climate of the regionis characterised by heavy rainfall with an annualaverage of 3,500mm. The predominance of thesouthwest monsoon causes precipitation to behighly seasonal (Barthakur 1986). Most of therain falls between May and September, whichforms the summer (hot) season. Winters(October to April) are usually cool and dry,although rains are not uncommon. The averagetemperature varies from a low of 5ºC in winterto a high of 37ºC in summer. The relativehumidity is high, and varies between 65 and>90%. Forest and woodland cover the majorityof the park (94%, i.e.188 km2). Grasslands arefound along the banks of the Jia-Bhorelli Riverand its tributaries and cover an area of 10 km2
(5%). The remaining 2 km2 (1%) is formed byvarious river beds. Nameri is covered bytropical evergreen, semi-evergreen and moistdeciduous forest with cane and bamboo brakesand narrow strips of open grassland alongrivers. Grasslands comprise >10% of the totalarea of the park while the semi-evergreen andmoist deciduous species dominate the area. Thevegetation of the park is a mosaic of four majorforest types (Champion and Seth 1968): (1)eastern alluvial secondary semi-evergreen forest,(2) low alluvial savannah woodland, (3) easterndillenia swamp forest, and (4) wet bambooforest (usually found along streams or on badlydrained hollows), with areas of cane brakesformed by Calamus tenuis. Orchids includeDendrobium, Cymbidium, and Ladies Sleeper,along with tree ferns and lianas; creepers aresome of the specialties of this forest.
Parts of the area were designated as NauduarReserve Forest in 1876 and Nameri WildlifeSanctuary in 1985. The present Nameri National
Park was formed in1988. Considerable com-mercial timber exploitation and intensiveextraction of canebrakes has taken place, andhabitat has been further degraded throughlivestock grazing. In recent years, cattle campshave been evicted to reduce grazing pressure,resulting in grassland regeneration in someareas. A belt of reserved forests contiguous tothe park forms a buffer, but which is now beingencroached upon for homesteads and culti-vation. This has resulted in further fragmen-tation of the park, which in turn is becomingprogressively insular.
RESULTSLike most areas in North-East India, Nameri hasbeen poorly surveyed for avian species. Nopublished checklist of the birds of the parkexists, although there is some literature relatingto birds in the neighboring Pakhui WildlifeSanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh (Datta et al.1998; Singh 1991, 1994). Fieldwork has mostlydone in Nameri during all seasons from 2005 toSeptember 2009, although less intensively priorto 2004. Before then records were kept fromecotourism excursions in the park. Bird speciesfrom Nameri are recorded in Talukdar (1997),Talukdar and Das (1997), Dymond (1998),Hendriks (1998), and Barua and Sharma (1999);see also the IUCN Red List (Bird Life Inter-national 2004).
A total of 374 bird species have been recordedfrom Nameri (see Appendix, Table 1). Theseinclude nine globally threatened species (threeCritically Endangered, four Endangered, sevenVulnerable and eight Near-Threatened), many ofwhich are dependent on forest. The park
BIRDS OF NAMERI NATIONAL PARK
[39]
TABLE 1. Major bird watching areas of Nameri National Park. Locations identified during field surveys in2004-2009; A-Available, NA-Not Available.
Resident Migratory Grassland Hill birds Hill birds Locality Birds Birds Birds in winter year round
Potasali (Watch tower) A A A A NAKurua Beel A A NA A ABorghulli Beel A A A A NAMagurmari beel A A NA A NABalipung area A A A A NAAlong Jiabhoreli River A A A NA NANear Bogijuli Nala NA A A A A
provides little habitat for any globallythreatened grassland species that occurelsewhere in Assam, apart from Jerdon’s Babbler(Chrysomma altirostre), which was reported inJanuary 2004 (Robson 2004). Rahmani et al.(1990) mentioned that the endangered BengalFlorican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) might be foundin the area ‘in due course’ as the grasslands,although not extensive, were suitable in certainplaces and were being given protection.However, the species was not detected duringthe study.
OBSERVATIONS ON SELECTED SPECIESFOUND IN NAMERI NATIONAL PARK,INCLUDING IUCN STATUS.
The following species are of special status,deserving more extensive discussion than theremaining species presented in Table 2 (seeFig. 2).
WHITE-RUMPED VULTURE (Gypsbengalensis) — Critically Endangered. Between1998 and 2000, this species was recorded seventimes, usually involving 2–3 birds, mostly seensoaring. There were no subsequent records.When 10 wild elephants (Elephas maximus) diedin the area due to poisoning during July–August2001, no vultures were seen on the carcasses.Their absence is noteworthy and presumablyrelated to the catastrophic decline of Gypsvultures in the Indian subcontinent owing toDiclofenac poisoning (Bird Life International2004).
SLENDER-BILLED VULTURE (Gypstenuirostris) — Critically Endangered. Thisspecies was rare, with most records referring tosoaring birds. It was not observed during 1996,but small flocks of up to six birds were seen 4–5times a year during 1997–2001, mainly betweenNovember and March. None has been seen since2001, again presumably linked to the decline ofGyps vultures.
RED-HEADED VULTURE (Sarcogyps calvus)— Critically Endangered. Singles were seensoaring at Potasali on 16 April 2002 and feedingon a carcass along the Khari River on 10 July inthe same year.
INDIAN VULTURE (Gyps indicus) —Critically Endangered. This species is classifiedas Critically Endangered because it has sufferedan extremely rapid population decline as a
result of feeding on carcasses of animals treatedwith the veterinary drug diclofenac. Between2001 to 2002, this species was recorded fivetimes, usually involving 2–3 birds, mostly seensoaring near the south buffer area of the park.
WHITE-WINGED WOOD DUCK (Cairinascutulata) — Endangered. This resident speciesinhabits pools and secluded marshes in denseforest. Although no population estimate hasbeen made, sightings are fairly regular andbreeding occurs: 11 ducklings were seen on 17June 2003 with two adults. Nameri is one of thefew areas where this species has been recordedin Assam outside its main stronghold in theDibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve, where apopulation of 200 individuals is estimated (outof a total Indian population of 300–350individuals; Islam and Rahmani 2002).
SPOTTED GREENSHANK (Tringa guttifer) —Endangered. This species has a very smallpopulation that is declining. One bird was seenin Kurua Beel (Wetland) along with a group ofSpot-billed Ducks (Anas peocilorhyncha) on 19thFebruary 2003 early morning.
RUFOUS-NECKED HORNBILL (Acerosnipalensis) — Vulnerable. One bird was observedflying north along the Upper Dikrai River inprimary forest on 18 December 2001. It wasreadily identified by its tail pattern (black with awhite distal half) and its silent flight. The specieshas been recorded at higher altitudes inneighboring Arunachal Pradesh, but it appearsto be extremely rare in Nameri National Park.The species has disappeared from much of itsrange, and currently survives at fewer than 20locations in India (Islam and Rahmani 2002).
PALLAS’S FISH EAGLE (Haliaeetusleucoryphus) — Vulnerable. This species breedsalong the banks of the Jia-Bhareli River. Twotraditional nest sites are known: one at 13th Milearea and the other at the confluence of theUpper Dikrai and Jia-Bharelli rivers. Both siteswere still in use up to at least 1997. Other thanthese two pairs, no other birds have been seen.There are probably <150 breeding pairs inAssam (Islam and Rahmani 2002).
GREATER SPOTTED EAGLE (Aquila clanga)— Vulnerable. Small numbers were seen (<10) inwinter each year between November andFebruary in open areas along the Jia-BharelliRiver and its tributaries. This species has a small
NIRANJAN DAS AND SUJATA DEORI
[40]
BIRDS OF NAMERI NATIONAL PARK
[41]
FIGURE 2. Nameri National Park bird species of special status that are discussed in greater detail in the text.
population which appears to be declining owingto extensive habitat loss and persistentpersecution.
LESSER ADJUTANT (Leptoptilos javanicus) —Vulnerable. Small numbers of this species areresident, mainly in marshes along the Jia-Bharelli River. Six nests were located on a‘Simul’ (Bombax ceiba) tree near Bogijuli Nala inthe eastern region of the park in 2000-2001. Thisstork has a small population which is rapidlydeclining, in particular as a result of huntingpressure.
SUMBA BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix everetti) —Vulnerable. This elusive grassland specialistqualifies as Vulnerable on the grounds that itssmall range (where it is known from few loca-tions) and single population are likely to bedeclining as a result of habitat degradation. Oneindividual was seen in the grassland near the con-fluence of Doigrung River on 13th March 2000.
YELLOW-LEGGED PIGEON (Columbapallidiceps) — Vulnerable. This species hasundergone a considerable decline in numbersover the last century. A pair was seen in a Jamuk(Syzygium fruticosum) tree near the secondaryforest in Owbari area. Now it has a smallpopulation, fragmented and likely to be indecline owing to forest loss.
GREY HEADED WOODPECKER (Picuscanus) — Threatened. The Grey-headedWoodpecker, also known as the Grey-facedWoodpecker, is a resident in leaf forests andmixed forests. Three birds were seen on 24thJune 1999 near the high forest borderingsouthern edge of Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary ofArunachal Pradesh.
BLACK-BELLIED TERN (Sterna acuticauda) —Near-Threatened. This rare species wasobserved at Potasali on the Jia-Bhareli River(two on 5 February, two on 2 March 2000 andone on 7 November 2001) amidst groups ofRiver Terns (Sterna aurantia). Breeding has notbeen observed in the area and the species’seasonal status is unclear.
LESSER FISH EAGLE (Ichthyophaga humilis)— Near-Threatened. This species is rare, andpresumably resident. One was seen soaring overwoodland along the Nameri River on 13February 1998. Dymond (1998) recorded one atPotasali on 25–27 November in the same year.
GREAT HORNBILL (Buceros bicornis) — Near-Threatened. Although this species has a large
range, it occurs at low densities and is patchilydistributed. Three birds were observed flyingsouth along the Dinai River in primary forest on12 December 2001. Probably they were flyingfrom Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary towards highforest Bhelu (Tetrameles nudiflora) in the park. Itis likely to be declining moderately rapidlythroughout its range.
GREY-HEADED FISH EAGLE (Ichthyophagaichthyaetus) — Near-Threatened. This species isthought to be undergoing a moderately rapidpopulation reduction owing to habitatdegradation, pollution and over-fishing. Onewas seen with Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyoncoromanda) along the bed of Jia-Bhorelli Rivernear Potasali camp on 17th May 2002. Althoughwidespread, it is now only locally common.
ORIENTAL DARTER (Anhinga melanogaster)— Near-Threatened. This species’ population isdeclining rapidly owing to pollution, drainage,hunting and collection of eggs and nestlings. Apair was seen in the Borghuli wetland on 19thDecember 2000.
BROWN FULVETTA (Alcippe brunneicauda) —Near-Threatened. This species is found insubtropical or tropical moist low land forests. Itis threatened by habitat destruction. One wasseen in the dry grassland area near NameriRiver on 13th March, 2003.
CONCLUSIONSThis is the second ornithological survey ofNameri National Park. Further work shouldfocus on systematic surveys for White-wingedWood Duck in order to determine its populationsize in the park. Fragmentation of forests in thisregion has led to the park becoming increasinglyinsular, and landscape-level studies are neededto investigate the effect of habitat fragmentationon the park’s avifauna.
REFERENCESBARTHAKUR, M. 1986. Weather and climate of North-
east India. North-Eastern Geographer 18: 31-32. BARUA, M., AND P. SHARMA. 1999. Occurrence of the
Hill Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis banyumas) in NameriNational Park, Assam. Newsletter forBirdwatchers 39: 61–62.
BIRD LIFE INTERNATIONAL. 2004. Threatened Birds ofthe World 2004. CD-ROM. Bird Life International,Cambridge, U.K.
NIRANJAN DAS AND SUJATA DEORI
[42]
CHAMPION, H.G., AND S.K. SETH. 1968. A revisedSurvey of the forest types of India. Government ofIndia Publications, New Delhi.
DATTA, A., P.SINGH, R.M. ATHREYA, AND S.KARTHIKEYAN. 1998. Birds of Pakhui WildlifeSanctuary in western Arunachal Pradesh, NorthEast India. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 38: 39-43.
DYMOND, N. 1998. List of Birds seen in NameriNational Park: 25–27 November 1998.Unpublished Trip Report.
HENDRIKS, H. 1998. Birds seen in North-Eastern India.Unpublished Trip Report.
ISLAM, M.Z., AND A.R. RAHMANI. 2002. Threatenedbirds of India. Buceros 7: 1–2.
![HABITAT LOSS OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED VULTURES IN NAMERI ... · HABITAT LOSS OF CRITICALLY ENDANGERED VULTURES IN NAMERI NATIONAL PARK-ASSAM [9] TABLE 1. Summary of information about](https://static.documents.pub/doc/80x56/5bd9ca2c09d3f2bb648b827d/habitat-loss-of-critically-endangered-vultures-in-nameri-habitat-loss-of.jpg)
