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Site description (2004 baseline):

Parvati and Aranga are two connected waterbodies comprising an area of 1,084 ha.They are rainfed lakes in a deep natural depression in the Gangetic plains of the terai region. The Parvati Aranga Sanctuary was established in 1997. However, core and buffer zones have not yet been demarcated. Although no village is located in the immediate vicinity of the Sanctuary, agricultural fields have reached the edge of the wetland. According to the Forest Department, many agricultural fields have encroached on forest land. For proper management, settlement of rights and demarcation of the true boundaries of the Sanctuary are required. It is also essential to involve local people in the management of the wetland, so that both people and birds benefit. The Sanctuary lacks an interpretation centre and there are no publicity pamphlets on this important wetland. No visitor record is kept. The staff is not trained in bird watching.

AVIFAUNA: Parvati Aranga Sanctuary is well known for large numbers of waterbirds during winter. When the rainfall is good and waterspread is normal, more than 20,000 waterbirds congregate in this IBA site. The population of Sarus crane Grus antigone is more than 200. Choudhury et al. (1999) have counted 112 Sarus, including 31 juveniles. They consider Parvati Aranga as an important site for Sarus conservation in India. Congregatory birds in the sanctuary include many species of ducks and waders. There has been no recent survey except for one trip by the IBA Officer in November 2001, when there were not many birds (Islam, 2001). However, Forest officials informed that more than 20,000 waterbirds come in winter. Therefore, this wetland has been declared as an IBA.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: Not available.

MAIN THREATS: Disturbance to birds from fishing; Drainage; Pesticides.

Till 1996, the Fisheries Department used to auction the fish in the area, which has now stopped. Fishing, however, continues illegally. Birds are trapped with nets, but not to any significant extent. The Sanctuary has no weeds, but on the banks some wild Cannabis has made an appearance. This needs to be removed to maintain the wetland. The pesticide used in the surrounding fields runs off into the lakes, but its impact on birds has not been assessed.

Key contributors: V. P. Singh and K. S. Gopi Sunder.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Parvati Aranga Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/parvati-aranga-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 23/12/2024.