Description

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Context:

Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary of Assam is now facing an alarming biodiversity crisis.

Many bird and butterfly species were sighted during the 8th edition of the Uttarakhand Bird Festival at Benog Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary

*Location and Formation*	It is a large freshwater lake formed as a result of the 1950 earthquake. It was originally part of the River Subansiri. It is located near Lakhimpur in Assam. It covers an area of 11.25 sq. km which is shared between Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts.
*Vegetation*	The sanctuary has both aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation, especially along the banks. Dense emergent vegetation around wetland fringes in the sanctuary provides habitat for Swamp Francolin, a vulnerable bird species found in Nepal and the Eastern Himalayas.
*Bird Species*	It is rich in avifauna with over 181 recorded bird species. It supports a variety of migratory and resident birds, which includes the endangered and globally threatened species. Migratory birds are common in winter, escaping harsh northern Asian climates. Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, and Pallas’s Fish-Eagle are some of the bird species found here. Whistling Teal, Fishing Eagle, Open-billed Stork, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Swamp Partridge, Chestnut Bittern, Indian Roller, Black-headed Oriole, and Pied Myna are also frequently sighted here. It is also the breeding ground for Large Whistling Duck, Purple Swamphen, Bronze-winged Jacana, White-breasted Waterhen, and Watercock.
*Other Fauna*	The sanctuary hosts mammals like Fishing Cat and Hog Deer. Smooth Indian Otters are also found in the area.
*Flora*	The sanctuary is dominated by aquatic flora. Arundo donax and sedges are found in dried areas. Semi-aquatic vegetation and trees like Barringtonia acutangula are also prevalent along lake fringes.

Benog Wildlife Sanctuary

*About*	It is a sanctuary situated at Mussoorie in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, India. The sanctuary is part of Rajaji National Park. It was declared as a protected area on 2 September 1993.
*About*
*Geography*	It is located in the Himalayan foothills, which is known for scenic views of Chaukhamba Peak, located near Badrinath and Bandarpunch Peak, located in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is named after Benog Hill, which is a prominent peak in the sanctuary.
*Vegetation*	It has a mix of wetland border or marshes, sedge meadow calcareous fen complex, moist prairie and mesic to dry woodland-type vegetation.
*Area*	It covers an area of 10.82 sq. km or 4.18 sq. miles and forms the part of Rajaji National Park.
*Rivers*	Aglar River, which is a tributary of the Yamuna River flows via the sanctuary.
*Flora*	It features moist temperate forests such as deodar, oak, and rhododendron trees. It is surrounded by pines, cedar, and abundant medicinal plants.
*Fauna*	Mammals found here include leopards, Himalayan goats, Indian elephants, Bengal tigers, lion-tailed macaques, and antelopes. Bird species include mountain quail, red-breasted partridge, brahminy kite, red-billed blue magpie, White Capped Water Redstart, etc.
*Birds*	The sanctuary is renowned as a bird-watching haven with diverse bird species. Popular sightings here are white Capped Water Redstart, red-billed blue magpie, and brahminy kite.

Important articles for reference

Rajaji National Park

Sources:

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary:

It covers a large freshwater lake originally part of the River Subansiri.
The sanctuary has both aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation.
Migratory birds are common here in summer.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A)1 and 2 only

B)2 and 3 only

C)1, 2 and 3 only

D)None

Ans: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

It is a large freshwater lake formed as a result of the 1950 earthquake.

It was originally part of the River Subansiri.

It is located near Lakhimpur in Assam.

It covers an area of 11.25 sq. km which is shared between Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts.

Statement 2 is correct:

The sanctuary has both aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation, especially along the banks.

Dense emergent vegetation around wetland fringes in the sanctuary provides habitat for Swamp Francolin, a vulnerable bird species found in Nepal and Eastern Himalayas.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

It is rich in avifauna with over 181 recorded bird species.

It supports a variety of migratory and resident birds, which includes the endangered and globally threatened species.

Migratory birds are common in winter, escaping harsh northern Asian climates.

Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, and Pallas’s Fish-Eagle are some of the bird species found here.

Whistling Teal, Fishing Eagle, Open-billed Stork, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Swamp Partridge, Chestnut Bittern, Indian Roller, Black-headed Oriole, and Pied Myna are also frequently sighted here.

It is also the breeding ground for Large Whistling Duck, Purple Swamphen, Bronze-winged Jacana, White-breasted Waterhen, and Watercock.