416
Further, the endangered turtle ( Chitra indica and
Geoclemys hamiltonii ) and the threatened snake
( Python molurus ) (both at lower risk, as per
IUCN Red List) are said to occur in Ropar.
Ichthyofauna
In addition to above, the Ropar Wetland is a big
hub of commercial fi sheries. Some of the LGF
are Labeo rohita, L. gonius, L. calbasu, L. dero,
L. dyocheilus, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala,
Puntius sarana, Cyprinus carpio, Cyprinus sp.,
Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Mystus spp., Wallago
attu, Sperata seenghala, Mastacembelus armatus, Parambassis ranga, Channa punctatus, C.
striata , etc.
Avifauna
The wetland is an ideal habitat for migratory
waterfowls. The birds include 49 species of local
birds, 11 species of migratory birds, 3 species of
rare birds and 54 species of common birds. Some
of the birds are golden-backed woodpecker
( Dinopium benghalense ) , crimson-breasted barbet ( Megalaima haemacephala ) , large green barbet ( M. zeylanica ) , etc.
Wetland Use
(a) The wetland is used for fi shing, cattle grazing,
collection of elephant grasses, fuel wood, etc. (b)
This wetland is a popular tourist resort mainly for
bird watching and rowing.
Impacts on the Wetland
Since few years, some of the impacts are (a) erosion, siltation, shrinkage of the wetland area, (b)
interference with the birds, (c) unlawful fi shing
and poaching of wildlife, (d) industrial effl uent
discharges, (e) infestation by invasive weeds, (f)
rapid spread of Parthenium weed; etc.
Restoration Measures
Some of those proposed are (a) afforestation and
soil conservation, (b) erection of chain-link fencing to prevent encroachments; (c) detailed
remote-sensing survey of the wetland area, (d)
detailed taxonomic studies of the fl ora and fauna,
(e) introduction of native fi sh species including
maintenance of fi sh seed farms, etc.
In addition to above, the big tank in the premises of the Golden Temple (Plate 20.81 ) at
Amritsar harbours quite a large number of birds.
20.3.13 Wetlands of Rajasthan
There are not too many wetlands in the province
of Rajasthan, it being an arid region. However,
there are signifi cant lentic bodies like the
Plate 20.81 Golden Temple
20 Wetlands of India
Further, the endangered turtle ( Chitra indica and
Geoclemys hamiltonii ) and the threatened snake
( Python molurus ) (both at lower risk, as per
IUCN Red List) are said to occur in Ropar.
Ichthyofauna
In addition to above, the Ropar Wetland is a big
hub of commercial fi sheries. Some of the LGF
are Labeo rohita, L. gonius, L. calbasu, L. dero,
L. dyocheilus, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala,
Puntius sarana, Cyprinus carpio, Cyprinus sp.,
Ctenopharyngodon idellus, Mystus spp., Wallago
attu, Sperata seenghala, Mastacembelus armatus, Parambassis ranga, Channa punctatus, C.
striata , etc.
Avifauna
The wetland is an ideal habitat for migratory
waterfowls. The birds include 49 species of local
birds, 11 species of migratory birds, 3 species of
rare birds and 54 species of common birds. Some
of the birds are golden-backed woodpecker
( Dinopium benghalense ) , crimson-breasted barbet ( Megalaima haemacephala ) , large green barbet ( M. zeylanica ) , etc.
Wetland Use
(a) The wetland is used for fi shing, cattle grazing,
collection of elephant grasses, fuel wood, etc. (b)
This wetland is a popular tourist resort mainly for
bird watching and rowing.
Impacts on the Wetland
Since few years, some of the impacts are (a) erosion, siltation, shrinkage of the wetland area, (b)
interference with the birds, (c) unlawful fi shing
and poaching of wildlife, (d) industrial effl uent
discharges, (e) infestation by invasive weeds, (f)
rapid spread of Parthenium weed; etc.
Restoration Measures
Some of those proposed are (a) afforestation and
soil conservation, (b) erection of chain-link fencing to prevent encroachments; (c) detailed
remote-sensing survey of the wetland area, (d)
detailed taxonomic studies of the fl ora and fauna,
(e) introduction of native fi sh species including
maintenance of fi sh seed farms, etc.
In addition to above, the big tank in the premises of the Golden Temple (Plate 20.81 ) at
Amritsar harbours quite a large number of birds.
20.3.13 Wetlands of Rajasthan
There are not too many wetlands in the province
of Rajasthan, it being an arid region. However,
there are signifi cant lentic bodies like the
Plate 20.81 Golden Temple
20 Wetlands of India