Assam government has recently revealed its strategies for safeguarding Assam’s State Bird i.e. the White-winged Duck which is on the verge of extinction
Locally known as Deo Hanh, studies have shown that the white-winged wood duck could become extinct in a few decades due to loss of habitat as a result of impact of climate change and anthropogenic factors
This species of duck has been listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Deo Hanh is mostly found in Northeast India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia
It makes its habitat in dense tropical evergreen forests, near rivers and swamps
Here is the theme based plan to protect this beautiful avian species according to the Assam government-
Theme 1 : Habitat ProtectionPreserve and maintain ecologically healthy habitats of White-winged Duck
Theme 2 : Population StrengtheningEstablish and sustain an ecologically viable population of White-winged Duck
Theme 3: AwarenessInvolve communities, governments and regional stakeholders through education and awareness programmes
Theme 4 : ResearchTo acquire scientific information to enable implementation of immediate measures to protect the species from further threats of extinction