Site description (2004 baseline):
AVIFAUNA: A rich and diverse bird life exists in the area, but a full checklist is yet to be completed. This IBA is known for its population of Whitewinged Duck Cairina scutulata (Choudhury 2000). There are four species of hornbills, the Oriental Pied Anthracoceros albirostris, Wreathed Aceros undulatus, Great Pied Buceros bicornis and the globally threatened Rufous-necked Aceros nipalensis. The last named species is only occasional in winter. The Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus is seen regularly in small numbers at the edges of the IBA and in the encroached areas. In winter, the abundance of birds increases to a great extent, with the arrival of altitudinal migrants (A. Choudhury pers. comm. 2003). As no detailed study on birds has been conducted, this site could be considered Data Deficient.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: Behali is an important area for the Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Slow Loris Nycticebus coucang, Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileata, Tiger Panthera tigris and Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis, among others.
Behali RF is among the survivors in Sonitpur where organized encroachment has destroyed most of the forest outside the protected areas. A relatively small area of this IBA has been encroached, but it is under constant pressure (Choudhury 2002). Illegal tree felling and occasional poaching are other issues. The interstate border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh often makes the area vulnerable to encroachment and felling of trees.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Behali Reserve Forest (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/behali-reserve-forest-iba-india on 23/12/2024.