News– A bird counting campaign at Asan Wetland in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, has been successful, with volunteers spotting 5,225 birds from 117 species.
About Asan wetland (Asan Conservation Reserve)
- Location: It is situated in Dehradun district, Uttarakhand, along the Asan River, which flows into the Yamuna River.
- It was declared a Conservation Reserve in 2005 under Section 36A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Ramsar Site: It is the first Ramsar site in Uttarakhand.
- Avain Species:
- Strategically located within the Central Asian Flyways (CAF),the reserve homes 330 bird species, including critically endangered species like the red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture, and Baer’s pochard.
- Other vulnerable or endangered species include the Egyptian vulture, steppe eagle, and Indian spotted eagle.
- Fish Diversity: It supports 49 fish species, including the endangered Putitor mahseer (Tor putitora).
- It is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and BirdLife International.
