Asan Wetland
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NIE
Context: The Asan Wetland in Uttarakhand recently hosted the Asian Waterbird Census, yielding data on 5,225 birds across 117 species.
About Asan Wetland:
• Location: Situated in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, at the confluence of the Asan River and the Eastern Yamuna Canal. Lies near the borders of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• Lies near the borders of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• Rivers and History: Created due to the damming of the Asan River at the Asan Barrage (Dhalipur Lake) in 1967 during the construction of the Dhalipur powerhouse. Declared Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site in 2020, highlighting its global ecological significance.
• Created due to the damming of the Asan River at the Asan Barrage (Dhalipur Lake) in 1967 during the construction of the Dhalipur powerhouse.
• Declared Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site in 2020, highlighting its global ecological significance.
• Uniqueness and Features: Biodiversity Hub: Home to 330 bird species, including critically endangered white-rumped vulture, red-headed vulture, and Baer’s pochard. Migratory Birds: Provides shelter to globally endangered species like Brahminy duck, red-crested pochard, gadwall, and mallard, migrating from Central Asia. Fish Species: Hosts 49 fish species, including the endangered Putitor mahseer. Wetland Ecosystem: Vital for maintaining ecological balance, supporting hydrological regimes, and enabling biodiversity.
• Biodiversity Hub: Home to 330 bird species, including critically endangered white-rumped vulture, red-headed vulture, and Baer’s pochard.
• Migratory Birds: Provides shelter to globally endangered species like Brahminy duck, red-crested pochard, gadwall, and mallard, migrating from Central Asia.
• Fish Species: Hosts 49 fish species, including the endangered Putitor mahseer.
• Wetland Ecosystem: Vital for maintaining ecological balance, supporting hydrological regimes, and enabling biodiversity.
About Asian Waterbird Census (AWC):
• Conducted By: The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is coordinated by Wetlands International as part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC).
• Frequency: The AWC is an annual citizen science event held during the months of January to coincide with the migration season of waterbirds.
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