Emergence of a wetland with the potential for an avian abode of global significance in South Bengal, India
We studied the waterbird diversity and abundance in a newly constructed wetland in South Bengal for 14 years right from its establishment. Soon after its construction, the wetland began to attract a rich diversity of waterbirds and with the passage of time has proved its potentiality to achieve the status of a wetland of international importance. Since 2005, it continues to support Greylag Goose at populations exceeding 1% threshold, and from 2007 onwards harbours Ruddy Shelduck at populations exceeding 1% threshold. Since the populations of majority of the important species have been increasing, it is expected to achieve the status of a Ramsar Wetland soon, provided we keep the wetland undisturbed and allow it to follow its own course by implementing monitoring programmes on a long-term basis.