Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
The Terai region’s rich biodiversity has once again been highlighted with the recent sighting of two bird species, the Asian Openbill Stork and the Woolly Necked Stork, near Haripura Dam and Baur Reservoir in the Gularbhoj area. These storks were spotted in large numbers, with nearly 50 mature individuals observed in the Terai Central Forest Division, underscoring the ecological importance of the region. The Forest Department has intensified the measures for their conservation.
Shashi Dev, Sub-Divisional Officer of the Terai Central Forest Division, said, “According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), both the Asian Openbill Stork and the Woolly Necked Stork were classified as vulnerable species and teetered on the edge of extinction due to several environmental and human factors. But the conservation practices coming into play, the Woolly Necked Stork is now under near threatened and the Asian Openbill Stork is s species under “of concern” category. The sighting of these birds is a positive sign for the Terai’s biodiversity also”.
“The IUCN has red listed these storks, and conservation efforts are ongoing. The main reason for their decline was the increasing pollution in forests, largely due to human activities. People visiting the forests are leaving behind plastic waste, which is detrimental to the stork’s habitat”, she further said.
Forest department officials have reported positive outcomes from their ongoing conservation efforts, attributing the increase in sightings of the Asian Openbill Stork and Bully Necked Stork to dedicated habitat restoration and anti-poaching measures. “Our conservation practices, such as creating protected wetland zones, reducing plastic waste in forest areas, and implementing stricter surveillance against illegal hunting, have begun to show results,” Shashi Dev said. She added, “We have sighted them in previous couple of years also, but the strength has incresed this year. Our goal is to ensure their growth and long-term stability of these vulnerable species.”
The storks’ preference for damp, marshy areas makes them especially vulnerable to human encroachment and environmental degradation. Prashant Kumar, Senior Wildlife Biologist of the Terai forests, emphasized the critical state of these species. “The trapping of Asian Openbill Storks and Woolly Necked Storks in the Terai East forests is a pleasant yet concerning discovery. We will soon intensify conservation efforts to protect these birds,” Kumar said. He said that these birds, with their long beaks, prefer wetlands and low-altitude areas for nesting. However, agricultural practices such as the use of pesticides are causing contamination in nearby forests, contributing to the death of these birds. “The water contaminated by pesticides from nearby farms is making its way into the forests, leading to the deaths of these storks. Moreover, pollution is affecting the hatchlings, as many eggs are unable to hatch successfully,” he added.
Kumar provided further details about the species, noting, “The Asian Woolly Necked Stork can weigh between 1 kg and 8.9 kg, while the Asian Openbill Stork grows up to three feet in length. Their large, nutritious eggs make them prime targets for poachers. Unfortunately, their meat is also highly sought after, making them easy prey for smugglers and hunters.” He added that the population of these birds has dropped by 70% over the past five years but seems to increase this year on.
Despite the challenges, Kumar expressed optimism. “It is encouraging to see these storks regularly in the Terai forests. We have launched a campaign to raise awareness among local communities to help conserve these endangered birds. Their nests, often built on floating surfaces in ponds, are especially vulnerable, and both pollution and poaching are significant threats,” he said.
Kumar also highlighted the work of Purnima Devi Barman, who received the UN Environment Programme’s 2022 Champions of the Earth award for her conservation efforts. Barman’s work in Assam to protect the greater adjutant stork, a bird from the same family and with only 1200 of global population, serves as inspiration. “She managed to increase from 28 nests in 2007 to 200 nests in 2019 in Kamrup district of Assam. We are in regular contact with Barman, and her model of community engagement and education can serve as a template for our efforts in Uttarakhand,” Kumar added.
