Abstract
Aquatic avifauna are an important bio-indicator of an ecosystem changes. Mizoram, one of the north-eastern states of India, lies in one of the richest biodiversity hotspots of the world. Along its water bodies, it is home to several species of resident birds, and is also a temporary home for migrating birds in different seasons. These resident and migratory avifauna form an important component of most wetland ecosystems, as they are vital components of the food webs. While only the Tamdil and Palak Lake are recognized as wetlands, there are several rivers and smaller water bodies around which aquatic avifauna exist. However, official records comprise of about 14 species of waterbirds belonging to 6 orders and 8 families. Of these, Anatidae, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, Anhingidae, and Podicipedidae are represented by one species each, while the Ardeidae are represented by four species. Among the 14 species reported so far, two species of the Order Pelicaniformes, namely Anhinga melanogaster (Family Anhingidae) and Ardea insignis (Family Ardeidae) are highly endangered. However, detailed studies are wanting and, while there are sporadic reports of sightings on social media, there is a need for a more comprehensive study of the diversity and seasonal variations of aquatic avifauna around the different water bodies of the state of Mizoram.
Highlights
As defined by Article 1.2 of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)[1], wetlands include a wide variety of habitats such as marshes, peatlands, floodplains, rivers and lakes, and coastal areas such as saltmarshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds, and coral reefs and other marine areas no deeper than six metres at low tide, as well as human-made wetlands such as waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has widened its approach to include more families traditionally regarded as seabirds, as well as certain raptors and passerines, and it is possible that a small number of additions will be made in the coming years to the families and species included in the IWC.[1]
Palak lake is situated in Saiha District in southern Mizoram (22o12’10.89”N 92o53’18.18”E at 279 m asl), 130 km south-west of Saiha
Summary
As defined by Article 1.2 of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)[1], wetlands include a wide variety of habitats such as marshes, peatlands, floodplains, rivers and lakes, and coastal areas such as saltmarshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds, and coral reefs and other marine areas no deeper than six metres at low tide, as well as human-made wetlands such as waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs. Mizoram is situated in the North-Eastern region of India, along with its sister states, namely, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Meghalaya. Palak lake is situated in Saiha District in southern Mizoram (22o12’10.89”N 92o53’18.18”E at 279 m asl), 130 km south-west of Saiha It is an oval lake, 200 m long and 150 m wide, covering an area of 30 hectares (74 acres).
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