The Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TOI
Context: Experts, researchers, and forest officials have joined forces to seek Ramsar site status for the Rowmari–Donduwa wetland complex in Assam’s Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, after it recorded higher bird diversity than existing Ramsar sites in Northeast India.
About The Rowmari-Donduwa Wetland Complex:
What it is?
• The Rowmari–Donduwa wetland complex is an interconnected floodplain–marsh ecosystem located within the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (70.13 sq. km), which forms part of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Nagaon district, central Assam.
• It serves as a crucial ecological and migratory corridor between the Kaziranga and Orang National Parks.
Location: Situated in the heart of Assam, the wetlands are embedded within the Kaziranga–Orang landscape, bordered by the Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries, both functioning as buffer zones of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
Key Features:
• Area: Covers around 2.5–3 sq. km of interconnected floodplain–marsh terrain.
• Biodiversity Hotspot: Hosts over 120 species of resident and migratory birds, surpassing counts at Deepor Beel and Loktak Lake.
• Bird Census 2025: Recorded 47,000+ birds, including 20,653 at Rowmari Beel and 26,480 at Donduwa Beel.
• Ramsar Criteria: Meets 8 of the 9 Ramsar criteria, making it eligible for international wetland recognition.
• Ecological Role: Acts as a habitat, breeding, and feeding ground for migratory and threatened avian species.
Flora:
• Dominated by floodplain vegetation, aquatic grasses, and marshland reeds, providing cover and nesting sites.
• Presence of hydrophytes and sedges, essential for wetland nutrient cycling and maintaining water quality.
Fauna:
• Avian Diversity: Includes globally threatened species such as the Knob-billed Duck, Black-necked Stork, and Ferruginous Pochard.
• Other Wildlife: Supports fish, amphibians, otters, reptiles, and serves as a feeding zone for animals migrating from Kaziranga and Orang.
• Migratory Birds: Hosts winter visitors from Central Asia and Siberia, forming part of the Central Asian Flyway.
Significance:
• Biodiversity Conservation: A critical site for waterbird and wetland ecosystem preservation in Assam’s Brahmaputra floodplains.
• Ecological Connectivity: Strengthens wildlife corridors within the Kaziranga-Orang landscape.
• Climate Resilience: Acts as a natural flood buffer and carbon sink, supporting hydrological balance.