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Site description (2004 baseline):

This is the second largest protected area for birds in Bihar, known since pre-Independence for its large and diverse congregations of birds. This permanent waterbody is located about c. 60 km from Darbhanga in Birail subdivision and includes the blocks of Biraul, Ghanshyampur and Kusheshwarsthan. The low lying areas of these blocks are dotted with perennial ponds and lakes. During floods, the water from nearby rivers fills the lake and the water level of the lake rises. During the monsoon, more than 10,000 ha become inundated as this lake joins with Simri Jheel and Kabar Taal (an IBA) (Yahya 1995). Rain and overflow of the rivers Kamla, Bagmati and Karree are the main sources of water for this lake. Large numbers of local people have been dependent on this wetland for fishing and for some aquatic crops such as Makhana Euryale ferox. This was a hunting ground for birds for royal parties and administrators, but now the lake is occupied by fishermen and agriculturists. Although trapping of birds is prohibited, many local people still depend on it for their survival, catching birds and selling them live. Kusheshwarsthan was known as the ‘winter capital’ of migratory birds. A. O. Hume in his journal Stray Feathers considered it as one of the best waterfowl habitats in India. A local NGO has proposed to develop this area as Dr. Sálim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Most of the wetlands and ponds are covered with Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes, but the local fishermen and bird trappers bind them together in small pockets so as to clear the surface area for fishing and bird trapping.

AVIFAUNA: Kusheshwarsthan used to be one of the most important wetlands of Bihar, but now it is in a sorry state. However, even now, thousands of waterfowl are seen wherever human disturbance is low. According to S. K. Verma of the UNESCO Club of Darbhanga, a local NGO, the birds flock to nearly 200 private-owned ponds sprawled over 162 ha, and 412 medium-size Government owned ponds spread over 240 ha in Kusheshwarsthan. Presently, we do not have information about the total number of birds visiting this cluster of wetlands, but as the site has great potential, it is considered as a Data Deficient IBA. The Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Oriental White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus have been reported by A. Mishra (in litt. 2002).

OTHER KEY FAUNA: No information.

MAIN THREATS: Trapping of birds; Poaching; Illegal bird trade; Absence of law and order; Lack of survey; Agricultural runoff; Non-extension of legal status as protected area.

As some of these wetlands are privately owned, it is not easy to declare them as a waterfowl sanctuary. Hundreds of thousands of people depend upon these wetlands for cultivation, fishing and (illegal) bird trapping. Owing to the general breakdown of law and order in rural Bihar, it extremely difficult to control poaching. Despite a legal ban on trapping and selling wild birds, thousands of waterfowl are illegally sold to private houses and roadside eateries, and sometimes even taken to neighbouring districts like Saharsa, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur. Thousands of birds are poisoned by mixing pesticide in fried rice and spreading it in the foraging areas. This slow poison cripples the birds, which are then easily picked up by poachers. For some years, this site was declared as a Closed Area for Shooting, but this status has not been extended. However, the site can be declared as a Community Reserve under the amended Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. But, before any legal action is taken, an environmental education programme must be initiated to make the local people aware of their waterfowl wealth and the importance of sustainable use of the wetland.

Key contributors: S. K. Verma and Arvind Mishra.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kusheshwarsthan (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kusheshwarsthan-iba-india on 18/12/2024.