Data Zone
Country/territory: India
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 250 hectares (2.50 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2003 | not assessed | low | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
In Aligarh district, there are a number of wetlands such as Sheikha jheel, Rati-ka-Nagla, Ash Dump Yard and Aama Khera which are good for waterfowl. However, Sheikha jheel has the greatest potential to be developed as a bird sanctuary. This jheel is located 17 km from Aligarh on the Aligarh-Jalali road near Sheikha and Bhawan-Khera. Jalali village is about 3 km away, while Sheikha village is less than 1 km. The jheel was divided into three parts, when the Lower Ganga Canal was constructed. Sheikha jheel is a typical monsoonal wetland of the Gangetic plains. It gets most of its water from rainfall, but seepage of water from the adjoining canal has made it perennial. Before the canal was constructed, this jheel probably dried up during summer like other similar wetlands. Sheikha jheel is surrounded on three sides by natural vegetation. The submerged vegetation consists of Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria spiralis, Potamogeton crispus and Najas. Free-floating vegetation consists of Salvinia and Azolla, and in some places, Eichhornia crassipes. Rootedfloating vegetation includes Nymphoides cristata and Nymphoides indica.
Key biodiversity
AVIFAUNA: About 166 species of birds are reported from Sheikha and its environs (Rahmani and Sharma, 1997). This wetland harbours more than 10,000 birds during the winter months. While = 20,000 waterbirds may not be found in Sheikha jheel at a time, more than 20,000 water birds use this wetland throughout the year, because large migratory flocks of waders are seen in March-April. Thus, the site would qualify for A4ii criteria. Many waders and ducks are also present in thousands, easily exceeding 1% biogeographic population threshold, recently updated by Wetlands International (2002). About 100-200 Sarus Cranes Grus antigone congregate in this small wetland, mostly in the dry months. According to Wetlands International (2002), 1% threshold of Sarus is 90. Choudhury et al. (1999) have also found Sheikha jheel and the surrounding areas extremely important for the conservation of Sarus crane. During their surveys, they found 30 adults and 10 juveniles. Sighting of Near Threatened Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, sometimes with juveniles, is not uncommon in Sheikha jheel. Nests of Grey Heron Ardea purpurea, Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger, Little Egret Egretta garzetta, Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis and other species are found on the large Ficus and Dalbergia trees. A pilot bird ringing project was initiated in 1988 and several birds with Russian rings were recaptured (S.H.A. Yahya pers. comm. 2001).
OTHER KEY FAUNA: As Sheikha jheel is surrounded by agricultural fields and villages, no large wild mammal of conservation concern is found in the area. Only Bluebull or Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, which is considered sacred by many people, is found. Occasionally, Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra is seen in the drier area on the other side of Aligarh-Jalali road.
Acknowledgements
Key contributors: Asad R. Rahmani, Salim Javed, S. H. A. Yahya and K. S. Gopi Sundar.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sheikha Jheel (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sheikha-jheel-iba-india on 23/12/2024.