Shillong, Feb 5: As per the Asian Waterbird Census, 2024, there are over 155 water birds found at the wetland areas of Umiam Lake, in Ri Bhoi District.
Conducted on February 2 by the Meghalaya Forest & Environment Department, in collaboration with the Khasi Hills Wildlife Division Shillong and The Meghalaya Biodiversity Board, the census covered various wetland locations around Umiam Lake, including Umsaw, Umbir, Umniuh, Mawlyndep, and Umiam.
Key participants in the census included H Lato, IFS, DFO Social Forestry Division, M Kharsyntiew, MFS, Assistant Conservator of Forests, and experts from organizations like Aaranyak, Dr. Dipankar Lahkar, and Pranjal Deka.
The Meghalaya Biodiversity Board was represented by Dr. E. Khongwir and Dr. S Dey.
The exercise revealed the presence of 155 water birds belonging to 13 different species in the Umiam Wetland.
The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC). This citizen-science programme supporting the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide is done yearly between the months of January and February, wherein, volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds.
It works in partnership with many existing national waterbird census programmes.
February 2 is celebrated throughout the world as “World Wetland Day” and the census was carried out to commemorate this day to protect and preserve the pristine wetlands which act as a habitat for these avian life every year during their migration period.
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