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Site description (2004 baseline):

The Jaikwadi Sanctuary is a man-made reservoir that was created after the construction of a dam in 1975 on the upper reaches of River Godavari. In the absence of natural depressions and hilly terrain, this dam has been constructed on almost flat land, because of which the impounded water spread is large, approximately 55 km long and 27 km wide. This shallow waterspread, with a receding water line is very attractive to a large number of waterfowl and waders. Taking into consideration its importance to waterfowl, the Government of Maharashtra declared this wetland as Jaikwadi Bird Sanctuary in 1986. The entire area of the reservoir was acquired from 118 villages. The waterbody of Jaikwadi dam has been named as “Nathsagar” after the great saint Eknath (Kamble 2000). The Jaikwadi Dam is near the sacred town Paithan. The Sanctuary lies in Ahmednagar and Aurangabad districts. The total area of 34,100 ha, 33,974 ha are under the control of the Irrigation Department. The aquatic vegetation includes mainly the species of Chara, Spirogyra, Hydrilla, Potamogeton and Vallisneria. Argemone mexicana and Ipomoea fistulosa are found in the surrounding area. Nearby areas are irrigated agricultural fields. The newly created reservoir has changed ecological conditions from semi-arid to rich cultivated fields.

AVIFAUNA: The Forest Department has recorded 264 species of birds in Jaikwadi (Yardi 2000). Over 10,000 Demoiselle Cranes Grus virgo and a congregation of over 50,000 birds were seen here during an IBA survey in 2000. This includes many species occurring in much larger numbers than their 1% biogeographic population thresholds, as determined by Wetlands International (2002). The site also has many Near Threatened species. The site is an important stopover in the migratory flyway of cranes and other birds, which congregate here during their return migration, so it satisfies the A4iv criteria. Thirty-eight species of congregatory waterfowl have been reported in the Forest Department checklist. The site qualifies the congregatory criteria A4i, A4iii and A4iv.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: There are not many large mammals as the area is under intensive agriculture and human occupation. Occasionally, Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra are observed here (Kamble 2000). Golden Jackal Canis aureus, Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis and Blacknaped Hare Lepus nigricollis are commonly seen.

MAIN THREATS: Livestock grazing; Agricultural intensification and expansion; Fisheries; Industrialization; Urbanisation; Pollution.

Fishing is the biggest problem as far as the Sanctuary is considered. At present, there are 27 fishing cooperatives with 5,000 registered members in Nathsagar. Fishing is the main source of livelihood of the communities that live around the wetland. Before the construction of the dam, the local villagers did not know much about fishing. However, many outsiders have settled here now who, along with local people, are mainly occupied in fishing. Charaching of waterfowl by the local Pardhi, Bhil and Kahar communities is not uncommon, although it has been brought under control. Agriculture is practiced all around the reservoir. As soon as the water starts receding, farmers till the wet soil and sow seeds. This agriculture is locally known as Galapara. Farmers use potent pesticides that ultimately contaminate the water. At present there are 61 villages on either side of the reservoir. Land is rented out for agriculture by the Irrigation Department. Grazing is another major problem as livestock does not leave any area undisturbed for bird species to nest. The greatest threat to wildlife and to agriculturists is the pollution from industries and sugar mills that discharge effluents into the reservoir. Sewage from Aurangabad, Paithan, Maharashtra Industrial Development Cooperation, and 61 villages is discharged into the Nathsagar reservoir.

Key contributors: B. Raha and N. Bhure.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jaikwadi Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jaikwadi-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 25/12/2024.