Bhitarkanika National Park in the Kendrapara district of Odisha is the location of India’s first mangrove pitta bird census, which was recently carried out. This species of bird is nearly threatened and is found in only a few pockets of eastern India, including Bhitarkanika in Odisha and the Sundarbans in West Bengal. The census was carried out by point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks. The objective of the census was to record the growth pattern of these birds. A total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted. The highest concentration of the birds has been found in the mangroves near the Mahipura river mouth inside the Bhitarkanika National Park.
About the Mangrove Pitta Bird
The mangrove pitta is a passerine bird in the family Pittidae. It is native to the eastern Indian Subcontinent and western Southeast Asia. Its range extends from India to Malaysia and Indonesia. It is found in mangrove and nipa palm forests where it feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and insects. The mangrove pitta is native to Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand (primarily the west coast of the southern Thai peninsula). Its natural habitat is specialised and restricted to subtropical or tropical mangrove forests and Nipa palm stands. The bird is threatened by habitat loss.
Bhitarkanika National Park
Bhitarkanika National Park is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha. It was designated in 1998 and obtained the status of a Ramsar site in 2002. The area has also been designated as the second Ramsar site of the state after the Chilika Lake. The national park and wildlife sanctuary are inundated by the rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Pathsala. It is the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India after Sunderbans.
The Importance of the Census
The mangrove pitta bird census is important for recording the growth pattern of this species. The census will also help to determine the status of the bird’s population and their habitat in Bhitarkanika National Park. This will aid conservation efforts and provide useful data for policymakers, wildlife managers, and researchers.
Threats to the Mangrove Pitta Bird
The mangrove pitta bird is nearly threatened and is facing various threats. One of the significant threats is habitat loss due to deforestation and degradation of mangrove forests. The bird’s habitat is restricted to subtropical or tropical mangrove forests and Nipa palm stands. The mangrove pitta bird’s habitat is also under threat due to climate change, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events such as cyclones.
Conservation Efforts
Several conservation efforts have been initiated to protect the mangrove pitta bird and its habitat. Bhitarkanika National Park is a protected area that provides a secure habitat for the bird. The area has also been designated as a Ramsar site, indicating its importance for conserving biodiversity. The government and non-governmental organisations are taking various measures to protect mangrove forests and their inhabitants, including the mangrove pitta bird. These efforts include mangrove restoration, awareness campaigns, and ecotourism activities that promote sustainable development.
Why In News
Recently, the country’s first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds was conducted in Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha, aimed at recording the growth pattern of these nearly threatened birds.
MCQs about Mangrove Pitta Birds
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What is the objective of the mangrove pitta bird census carried out in Bhitarkanika, Odisha?
A. To study the nesting behavior of the birds
B. To estimate the population of the birds
C. To study the migration pattern of the birds
D. To record the growth pattern of the birds
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What is the natural habitat of the mangrove pitta bird?
A. Forests with dense vegetation
B. Coastal regions with sandy beaches
C. Mangrove and Nipa palm forests
D. Tropical rainforests
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Where is Bhitarkanika National Park located?
A. West Bengal
B. Odisha
C. Kerala
D. Karnataka
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What is the status of Bhitarkanika National Park?
A. It is a wildlife sanctuary
B. It is a Ramsar site
C. It is a biosphere reserve
D. It is a national heritage site
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