Indian Skimmer. Photo: Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station, VGDS
By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: It may sound encouraging to bird lovers. The endangered Indian Skimmer a rarely spotted Indian riverine bird nowadays, has been found nesting and breeding this season once again in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) located in Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
It was in 2023 breeding of Indian Skimmer was previously recorded in VGDS. The breeding by Indian Skimmer scientifically known as Rynchops albicollis was recorded in sanctuary area this breeding season, extending between months of May and June, after gap of three years.
The nesting and subsequent breeding by endangered bird species was recorded by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) researchers posted at Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station at VGDS, Bhagalpur along with frontline workers of Bihar Department of Forest Environment and Climate Change.
The Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station established in 2020 at Bhagalpur is a joint venture of BNHS and Bihar Department of Forest Environment and Climate Change, it may be mentioned.
In the breeding season this time the BNHS researchers and frontline workers of forest department spotted breeding pair of Indian Skimmer nesting on a sand bar in riverine belt.
Ashutosh Raj, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Bhagalpur said successful breeding by Indian Skimmer in VGDS area this season after gap of three years is highly encouraging development that reaffirms ecological importance of this stretch of river Ganga.
The successful fledging of three chicks this year has generated hope Bihar could have a stable breeding population of endangered species in future, DFO felt. Commending efforts of BNHS researchers and local forest department personnel made towards protection of the nesting site, the DFO said it was regular surveillance that helped ensure congenial breeding habitat for Indian Skimmer.
Photo: Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station, VGDS
He added for prevention of environmental degradation of riverine habitats, having huge potential of attracting Indian Skimmer, the department has attached priority on addressing problems of habitat degradation caused due to sand mining beside increased human and animal interferences.
Vertika Patel, senior project fellow, BNHS also in-charge of Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station said three chicks were born of the pair found nesting this breeding season. The pair and the fledgling chicks were last spotted in June end before they abandoned the nest, she informed.
The senior project fellow said regular monitoring of nesting site and efforts of minimizing human interference in nesting area contributed immensely in successful breeding by Indian Skimmer.
One among the pair that successfully breed this season was found tagged and ringed in 2024 while a chick at National Chambal Sanctuary, she added.
A bird tagged and ringed at National Chambal Sanctuary while a chick found nesting at VGDS area this breeding season, suggests possibility of some interlinkages between habitats where Indian Skimmers are found Patel said adding this however is matter of further study.
The VGDS area having all required potential could be a preferred breeding site for Indian Skimmer in future ensuring conservation efforts through community participation beside protection of riverine sandbars, she felt.
Previously after gap of eighteen years successful breeding by Indian Skimmer was recorded in 2023 at VGDS. Ambiker Rajori, junior BNHS project fellow at Bird Ringing and Monitoring Station informed in 2023 two nests of Indian Skimmer were spotted in course of riverine bird survey.
Of the two nests one nest was lost due to sudden rise in water level of river while successful hatching of three chicks was recorded in nest that remained safe, she added. As per information VGDS an important habitat of Indian Skimmer in past, the recorded population of endangered bird species was around 140 in the area in mid-1990.
However, population of Indian Skimmer dropped considerably in succeeding years. The population of Indian Skimmer recorded 26 in 2002 in sanctuary area registering further drop stood at just two in 2011.
Following successful breeding documented in 2002, 2004 and 2005 no further successful breeding of Indian Skimmer was reported from VGDS for nearly 18 years. Habitat loss due to river bank erosion, changes in agricultural practices on sandbars beside increased human interference are reasons stated behind disappearance of breeding colonies.
Listed as endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the present global population of Indian Skimmer is estimated between 2450- 2900 mature individuals. The population of endangered riverine bird species has recorded 40% drop in last sixteen years; it is further stated. As per information at present presence of the bird species is mainly restricted to few large river systems in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakis
About the Author
Avijit Biswas is a former reporter with the Hindustan Times, Patna Edition, based in Bhagalpur. He has more than 25 years of experience covering politics and other key beats across eastern Bihar. Known for his in-depth ground reporting and strong grasp of regional issues, Biswas has closely followed political developments and social trends in the region, earning credibility for accurate and balanced journalism. Avijt may be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.com
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