Bhutan is home to nearly 50 per cent of the global White-bellied Heron population locally known as Chubja. This heron is classified as Critically Endangered because it has an extremely small and rapidly declining population with fewer than 60 herons left in the world today. The Phochhu and Mochhu river basins are one of the habitats where many White-bellied Herons are found. However, according to the 2021 population survey for the endangered bird species, not a single endangered bird was sighted in these places last year.
The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) spotted 22 herons during the 2021 White-bellied Heron population survey across the country which has decreased by five compared to the 27 in the previous year.
In the past, the endangered herons were usually spotted at Namseythang in Punakha. According to the chief of the Species Conservation Division at the RSPN, Indra Archarya, up to eight birds can be sighted along the Phochhu and Mochhu in the past. With no sighting reported last year, he said there could be multiple reasons.
“Heron is not a migratory bird but they do move from one feeding site to another. So, based on the availability of food, fish population, and the disturbance, they move from one safer site to another. Maybe one reason could be Phochhu and Mochhu area is highly disturbed,” he said.
People living there have a connection with the herons. They expressed their sadness and concerns about not seeing the endangered bird.
“They used to look so happy together. In the past, I saw them eating fish and playing in the water. Last year they didn’t come so I would be very happy if they come this year. I was sad as I didn’t see them last time, maybe they didn’t get the food or maybe they don’t want to come here, I don’t understand,” said Kinley Dem, a farmer in Punakha.
“We always used to spot White-bellied Heron every year, people see them in the morning and in the evening. However last year we couldn’t see the birds. Maybe it’s because they couldn’t find food in the river. I have taken three carcasses of the heron before so I doubt maybe they are dying out of hunger because unlike other birds they only eat the fish in front of their eyes and do not dive into the water and search for food,” added Kinley Penjor, a member of the Local Conservation Support Group in Punakha.
According to the RSPN, to ensure protection for the endangered bird species, Phochhu, Mochhu, and Punakha area will be soon recognized as a key biodiversity area. For now, the residents are also doing their part in trying to conserve the habitat.
“We do not go near the river when the bird arrives. It’s important to conserve the White-bellied Heron. For the benefit of the birds, we don’t collect floating logs from the river. Only when the birds go, with permission from the forest we collect the wood from the riverside. I saw them once or twice but none last year,” said Passang Dorji in Punakha.
The endangered bird is normally seen along the Phochhu and Mochhu from October till February. Residents there are hopeful to see them again this year. Currently, there are two active breeding habitats at Punatsangchhu basins and one at Mangdechhu.
Kelzang Choden
Edited by Sonam
