Doomdooma: Around 100 Asian Openbills have been spotted breeding on a resident tree at Sumoni Bandarkhati village under the Kakopathar Range of the Doomdooma Forest Division in Assam’s Tinsukia district, prompting calls for immediate measures to protect the birds and their nesting habitat.
Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran has urged the Forest Department to visit the site at the earliest, raise awareness among local residents and take steps to safeguard the breeding colony.
“The Forest Department should reach the site at the earliest, create awareness among the villagers and take necessary measures to protect this rare congregation of birds,” Moran said on Tuesday. He also appealed to socially conscious residents to assist in protecting the birds.
The Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) is a wetland-associated stork known for the distinctive gap between its upper and lower mandibles. The species primarily feeds on freshwater molluscs, particularly snails, and relies on wetlands and mature trees for feeding and nesting.
Although the species is globally categorised as Least Concern, local populations can face threats from habitat degradation, human disturbance, hunting and the loss of suitable nesting trees.
Moran appealed to residents not to harm or consume the birds and urged the Kakopathar Range authorities to undertake awareness programmes in the village. He also suggested planting tall trees, particularly Simalu trees, to provide additional nesting sites for the birds in the future.
“The birds should not be killed or eaten. The Kakopathar Range of Doomdooma Forest Division must reach the place, create awareness and protect the birds,” Moran said.
The Asian Openbill is protected in India under Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2022, making adherence to wildlife protection laws particularly important at the nesting site.
According to Moran, many residents in the area may not be fully aware of the ecological importance of the breeding congregation. He called for an immediate awareness campaign to minimise disturbance to the nesting birds.
Members of student organisations associated with Moran have also visited the area to sensitise villagers and encourage community participation in protecting the colony.
Moran further stressed the need to conserve the mature trees used by the birds for nesting. He said planting suitable native trees could create additional breeding opportunities and strengthen the habitat for colonial waterbirds over time.
The breeding colony, he said, provides an opportunity for the Forest Department and residents to develop a community-supported bird conservation initiative, protecting both the Asian Openbills and the wetland ecosystem on which they depend.
Sumoni Bandarkhati is located in the Doomdooma Co-district, around 45 kilometres northeast of Doomdooma town and approximately 69 kilometres from the Tinsukia district headquarters. It is around 569 kilometres from Dispur.