KEIBUL LAMJAO (MANIPUR), Dec 9 � A team of scientists, ornithologists, researchers and conservationists from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Centre for Conservation of Nature and Cultivation of Science (CCNCS), Manipur University in association with the Department of Forest, Wildlife Wing, Government of Manipur started a 10-day study on the important bird areas (IBAs) of the State today.
On the first day of their study, the team led by Dr Raju Kasambe, head of the BNHS�s bird areas programme conducted a tour in and around the Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) and recorded the wild bird sounds besides capturing the pictures of various water birds visiting the park area this season.
The team also found a flock of gadwall at Ngatempat which lies within the KLNP territory. Another flock of tingee was detected at Ibohal farm at Keibul area.
�We have seen about a dozen water birds in the day�s study which include gadwall, common coot, little grebe, pied bush, grey wagtail, lesser concal, purple heron, purple murhen, Indian shag, etc.,� said Managing Trustee RK Birjit Singh of CCNCS. �We are also planning to visit Leimatak Riaprian Forest, the 9th last habitat of the endangered Manipur Bush-quail (Perdicula manipurensis) and species composition and diversity of avian fauna of these particular areas during the study tour�, he added.
The team will also study the biodiversity particularly, tracking the trail of the birds. The areas to be visited during the study include Ango or Anko Hills in Ukhrul district, Bunning Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamenglong district, Dzuku Valley, Senapati district, Jiri-Makru WLS, Imphal East & Tamenglong district, Kailam Wildlife Sanctuary, Churachandpur district, Loktak Lake & Keibul Lamjao NP and Zeilad Lake Sanctuary in Tamenglong. The team will also look for new possible IBA�s from Manipur to be included as per Birdlife International�s IBA consortium.