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Site description (2004 baseline):

This site is located near the confluence of the Ranga river with the Khabolu river and consists of degraded grassland with beels and marshes. The woodland area has been completely destroyed due to felling. This site was known as Milroy Buffalo Sanctuary during British days as a good number of Asiatic Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee (= bubalis) used to occur (Choudhury 1994). Situated 20 km south of Lakhimpur town, the district headquarters, this wetland complex is an important site for waterbirds.

AVIFAUNA: More than 130 species have been listed but more are likely to occur (A. U. Choudhury pers. comm. 2003). Among threatened species, regularly seen are the Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, Spot-bill Pelican Pelecanus philippensis and Swamp Francolin Francolinus gularis. The White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata has not been reported in recent years (Choudhury 2000). A few thousand waders and ducks winter in the area. It is also a potential site for the Vulnerable species Black-breasted Parrotbill Paradoxornis flavirostris.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: Gangetic Dolphin Plantanista gangetica is seen in the Khabolu river while the Water Buffalo has become stray. Tiger Panthera tigris is an occasional visitor (A.U. Choudhury pers. comm. 2003).

MAIN THREATS: Encroachment for agriculture; Reclamation and siltation of beels; Fishing; Poaching of birds.

Encroachment is a major concern for the area as about a third is already under illegal cultivation. Reclamation of beels, heavy fishing and poaching of birds are other main issues. Detailed investigation on the bird life and other wildlife of this site is urgently required. If properly protected, this site has potential to become a very important waterfowl habitat.

Key contributors: Anwaruddin Choudhury and Bikul Goswami..

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pabho Reserve Forest (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pabho-reserve-forest-iba-india on 22/11/2024.