Source: DH
Subject: Species in News
Context: The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) have launched a new conservation project to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer and its breeding habitats across the Ganga Basin.
About Indian Skimmer:
What it is?
- The Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) is a riverine bird species known for its unique feeding behaviour of skimming the water surface with an elongated lower mandible to catch fish.
Habitat:
- Large, slow-flowing rivers with exposed sandbars and islands.
- Breeds mainly along river systems such as the Ganga, Chambal, Yamuna, and their tributaries.
- Uses coastal areas during the non-breeding season.
IUCN status:
- Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List
- Global population estimated at 3,700–4,400 individuals, with India hosting nearly 90% of the world population
Key characteristics:
- Distinctive bill: bright orange, with the lower mandible longer than the upper.
- Plumage: black upperparts and white underparts.
- Colonial nester, often sharing sandbars with terns.
- Indicator species of healthy riverine ecosystems.
Significance:
- Acts as a flagship and indicator species for river health and sediment dynamics.
- Sharp decline signals degradation of riverine habitats due to dams, altered flows, sand mining, and human disturbance.
