Farakka IBA Bird Survey
SUBHASISH SENGUPTA
The call to action was sounded and volunteers were sought. Based on resource availability, the dates were frozen for Sundays starting December 02, 2024 spread over four months. A 12 member team was drafted with detailed route map along the Ganges (upstream & downstream) marking points of interest i.e. chars and timings thereof.Even the process of how checklists would be recorded was discussed and briefed to the team members i.e. one checklist continuous would be created during the sailing time (travelling time); every time the boat made a stop, a new checklist at the point of stoppage would be created (stationary time). The travelling checklist would be limited to an hour, thereafter a fresh checklist was to be started. Four routes were mapped out covering up & down river and the numerous loops along the chars.
- ✅Route1 – Manikchak Ghat to Nakkati Ghat along Fulahar River ~ 32 Km
- ✅Route2 – Manikchak Ghat to Katihadiara ~ 34 Km
- ✅ Route3 – Panchanandapur Ghat to Manikchak ~ 28 Km
- ✅ Route4 – Panchandapur to Farakka ~ 23Km
The Team & Logistics
The team drafted included members from- WB Forest Dept, Green Peoples India, BWS, along with Forest Ranger and ably led by the DFO. The Forest Department led from the front and arranged all the logistics including travel (Ex Malda Town), food, drinking water, etc. as per plan.Every day the team would set out at 05:30 hrs. and after completing the days run, typically around 18:00 hrs., all teams along with their members assembled at the DFOs office for a debriefing session and review the days checklists.
Conclusion: Farakka IBA Bird Survey 2025: A Vital Call for Conservation
The survey came across 169 odd species. The exact tally and a detailed reports are being prepared by the WB Forest Department. This included the unique sighting of the Australasian Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris), a record for the state of West Bengal.
Following the 4 surveys another short survey was undertaken on March 11, 2025 to assess the conservation state of the ‘char’ of interest on which the Grass-owl was found. This visit was mainly staffed with WB Forest officials and District Administrative Officers. The Farakka IBA stands as a crucial habitat for a diverse range of bird species as it comes within the Central Asian Saikat, Swarup and Sandip after the Grass-Owl sighting Flyway as a stopover site, playing a pivotal role in the winter bird migration. The Farakka IBA Bird Survey 2025, conducted by the WB Forest dept., Birdwatchers’ Society and Green People India, has once again underscored
the significance of this landscape as a thriving refuge for resident and migratory birds. The survey’s findings reaffirm that Farakka IBA requires focused conservation attention, as the region continues to support key species that depend on its vast grassland, riverine islets, riverbanks, and associated ecosystems. The rich avian diversity observed during this survey strengthens the case for long-term monitoring, habitat protection, and community-driven conservation initiatives. This assessment is not just a scientific exercise but a clear call to action for policymakers, conservationists, and local stakeholders. The results leave no doubt—Farakka IBA must remain a priority for conservation efforts to ensure the survival of its invaluable birdlife.
