The third Sundarban Bird Festival was held from January 22 to January 26, 2025.
Key Highlights:
Bird Species Count: A total of 154 bird species were recorded, with 51 migratory species and 103 resident species.
12 threatened bird species were also spotted, including rare species like the Eurasian Curlew and Brown-winged Kingfisher.
Participation: 40 birders from 6 teams spotted a total of 31,926 birds during the festival.
Key Areas: Birdwatching was done across various areas, with notable species counts in:
Matla Forests: 108 species
Kalas: 95 species
Sajnekhali: 64 species (lowest count)
Core Area of Sundarban Tiger Reserve: 100 species
Buffer Zone: 90 species
Outside Protected Areas: 129 species
Types of Birds Recorded:
45 species of waders, mudflat, and shore birds
8 species of raptors
91 species of forest birds
3 species of waterfowls
7 species of other birds
Sundarban Forest
The Sundarban forest spans 4,000 sq. km and is known for having the largest population of Royal Bengal tigers.
The Sundarbans is a mangrove forest, a unique habitat for both wildlife and migratory birds, offering rich biodiversity.
The Sundarbans mangrove forest is situated at the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, along the Bay of Bengal.
Spanning over 140,000 hectares, it is one of the largest mangrove forests in the world.
Ecological Significance: The region features a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and salt-tolerant mangrove forests, showcasing ongoing ecological processes.
Biodiversity: Known for its rich fauna, the Sundarbans is home to 260 bird species, Bengal tigers, estuarine crocodiles, and Indian pythons, with many of these species being threatened.
UNESCO World Heritage Site: The area is adjacent to the Sundarbans World Heritage Site, which was inscribed in 1987.
Sundarban Bird Festival is an annual event held in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve to promote avifauna conservation and showcase the rich bird biodiversity of the region.
The festival focuses on documenting migratory and resident bird species, drawing attention to the importance of preserving habitats like the Sundarbans, which is home to several threatened and endemic species.