Why in news?
Conservationists report that Bhutan now hosts around 31 white‑bellied herons, roughly half of the fewer than 60 of these critically endangered birds confirmed in the wild worldwide. The species’ precarious numbers and the success of Bhutan’s protection efforts have brought it back into the spotlight.
Background
The white‑bellied heron (Ardea insignis) is among the world’s rarest herons. It inhabits clear, fast‑flowing rivers and wetlands of the eastern Himalayas in Bhutan, north‑eastern India and Myanmar. The IUCN Red List estimates the global population at fewer than 250 mature individuals. The birds stand about a metre tall, with slate‑grey plumage and a white belly. They are sensitive to disturbance and require large territories with ample fish. Habitat loss, sand mining, hydropower dams and hunting have pushed the species towards extinction.
Current status and conservation
- Population in Bhutan: Surveys by Bhutan’s Royal Society for Protection of Nature recorded 31 individuals in the country, making it a global stronghold for the species. The birds are found along the Pho Chhu and other river basins.
- India’s populations: In India, the white‑bellied heron survives mainly in Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh and a few sites in Assam. Breeding success is extremely low, with perhaps fewer than 10 birds in the wild.
- Threats: Destruction of riverine forests, sand and gravel extraction, hydropower projects and illegal fishing reduce habitat quality. Climate change and floods also affect nesting sites.
- Conservation measures: Bhutan has established conservation breeding centres and community outreach programmes. In India there are proposals to set up protected zones and regulate sand mining near nesting sites. International cooperation is crucial to ensure the species’ survival.