282
The mangrove ecosystem of Indian Sundarbans is also noted for avian diversity
(Figs. 8.13 and 8.14).
The marshy area of mangrove dominated Sundarbans is the homeland of a variety of seabirds like herons, cormorants, egrets, kingfishers, storks and darters. About
250 species of birds have been documented in this deltaic lobe at the apex of Bay of
Bengal, of which a sizable proportion is migratory. A number of species of eagles,
including the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Palla’s Fishing Eagle
and owls such as the Barn owl, Scops owl, Spotted owl and Brown Fish Owl are also
found in the mangrove trees. On the intertidal mudflats, different species of plovers
and sandpipers are common. Marsh birds like herons, egrets, bitterns, storks and
rails are resident birds and are found throughout the year. Migratory flocks of sandpipers, redshanks and whimlocks can be seen during winter. Table 8.13 lists few
frequently sighted avifauna in Indian Sundarbans.
The aquatic phase of Indian Sundarbans also sustains a variety of mammals. The
common species of dolphin found in the Gangetic stretch adjacent to coastal Bay of
Bengal are Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and Irrawady Dolphin
(Orcaella brevirostris). Gangetic Dolphin is restricted in fresh water zone whereas
Irrawady Dolphin is widely visible in the brackish water in and around the deltaic
Sundarbans.
Technically, porpoises comprise only a small group of blunt-nosed whales, but in
some places the name “porpoise” is given to some of the dolphins. Porpoise, as a
term, refers to smaller members of the group, which have spade-shaped teeth, a
triangular dorsal fin and a smooth front end tapering to a point. Black finless porpoise (Neomeris phocaenoides) is often sighted in the brackish waters of Indian
Sundarbans.
The intertidal mudflats of mangrove dominated Indian Sundarbans is the home
land of a variety of mammals. The presence of the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera
tigris tigris) has imparted a special status to this deltaic complex of the Indian sub –
continent (Fig. 8.15).
The prey base of tiger comprises of monkeys (Macaca mulatta), deer etc.
(Figs. 8.16 and 8.17).
The watch towers in the midst of the mangrove habitat have been constructed to
observe the behaviour of wild animals in the mangrove forest (Fig. 8.18).
A checklist of mammals present in the mangrove habitats of Sundarbans is presented here.
A Checklist of Sundarban Mammals
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta
8 Mangroves: A Reservoir of Biodiversity
The mangrove ecosystem of Indian Sundarbans is also noted for avian diversity
(Figs. 8.13 and 8.14).
The marshy area of mangrove dominated Sundarbans is the homeland of a variety of seabirds like herons, cormorants, egrets, kingfishers, storks and darters. About
250 species of birds have been documented in this deltaic lobe at the apex of Bay of
Bengal, of which a sizable proportion is migratory. A number of species of eagles,
including the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Palla’s Fishing Eagle
and owls such as the Barn owl, Scops owl, Spotted owl and Brown Fish Owl are also
found in the mangrove trees. On the intertidal mudflats, different species of plovers
and sandpipers are common. Marsh birds like herons, egrets, bitterns, storks and
rails are resident birds and are found throughout the year. Migratory flocks of sandpipers, redshanks and whimlocks can be seen during winter. Table 8.13 lists few
frequently sighted avifauna in Indian Sundarbans.
The aquatic phase of Indian Sundarbans also sustains a variety of mammals. The
common species of dolphin found in the Gangetic stretch adjacent to coastal Bay of
Bengal are Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and Irrawady Dolphin
(Orcaella brevirostris). Gangetic Dolphin is restricted in fresh water zone whereas
Irrawady Dolphin is widely visible in the brackish water in and around the deltaic
Sundarbans.
Technically, porpoises comprise only a small group of blunt-nosed whales, but in
some places the name “porpoise” is given to some of the dolphins. Porpoise, as a
term, refers to smaller members of the group, which have spade-shaped teeth, a
triangular dorsal fin and a smooth front end tapering to a point. Black finless porpoise (Neomeris phocaenoides) is often sighted in the brackish waters of Indian
Sundarbans.
The intertidal mudflats of mangrove dominated Indian Sundarbans is the home
land of a variety of mammals. The presence of the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera
tigris tigris) has imparted a special status to this deltaic complex of the Indian sub –
continent (Fig. 8.15).
The prey base of tiger comprises of monkeys (Macaca mulatta), deer etc.
(Figs. 8.16 and 8.17).
The watch towers in the midst of the mangrove habitat have been constructed to
observe the behaviour of wild animals in the mangrove forest (Fig. 8.18).
A checklist of mammals present in the mangrove habitats of Sundarbans is presented here.
A Checklist of Sundarban Mammals
Order: Primates
Family: Cercopithecidae
Rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta
8 Mangroves: A Reservoir of Biodiversity