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Site description (2004 baseline):

Kuarbari or Koabari is a small marshy area near Dhakuakhana township in Lakhimpur district, eastern Assam. Surrounded by villages with cultivation, this site attracts a large number of waterfowl including Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Greater Leptoptilos dubius and Lesser L. javanicus Adjutants and Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans (Choudhury 2000). The villagers in the area are highly motivated to protect the area and there is virtually no hunting, although poisoning was regular in the past. Dalani means swamp. Dal is a kind of aquatic grass. This wetland IBA has the usual short grasses on the fringe. Bamboos and tall trees are found in the surrounding villages.

AVIFAUNA: Detailed study on this site has been conducted since 1989. Due to the protection by villagers, quite a large number of waterfowl are found here, although the site still does not qualify in A4iii criteria (= 20,000 waterbirds). This site has been selected purely on the basis of regular and significant numbers of the adjutant storks found here. Critically Endangered Oriental White-backed Vultures Gyps benghalensis and Slender-billed vultures G. tenuirostris are also seen, but they are widespread, move around a lot and are found in numerous other areas.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: As the wetland is surrounded by human habitation, not many wild mammals are found in the site.

MAIN THREATS: Agriculture; Fishing; Grazing by livestock; Poisoning of birds.

Although the villagers are highly motivated towards conservation, there is always a threat from poachers who poison birds. This can be stopped by extensive conservation education and enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act. However, siltation and cultivation, and not occasional poaching, are going to be the major issues for the survival of this site. A local NGO, the Megamix Nature Club, has been trying to create awareness among the villagers. This site could be declared as Community Conservation Area, under the amended Wildlife (Protection) Act, 2003.

Key contributors: Bikul Goswami, Anwaruddin Choudhury and Megamix.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kuarbari Dalani (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kuarbari-dalani-iba-india on 27/12/2024.