Waterbirds of Arunachal Pradesh with Special Reference to High Altitude Rivers and Wetlands

Arunachal Pradesh, a state of India is one of the world's most difficult mountainous regions, extremely precipitous and highly jagged, measuring an area of about 83,500 km². The NE India has the highest avian diversity in India, with around 900 species (Choudhury 2000; 2001a). Many of these are threatened. Of the 15 Critically Endangered species of bird listed in India, seven have been recorded in this region. Of the 18 endangered species of bird in India, 12 have been recorded in the North-east. Of the 53 vulnerable species of birds in India, 33 have been recorded in the North-east. Overall, 60% of the threatened birds in the country have been recorded in the North-east. Surveys were carried in Namdapha Tiger Reserve and National Park, Pakke Tiger Reserve, Eagle Nest and Sessa Wildlife Sanctuaries, Anini district of Arunachal Pradesh (part of Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary and Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015 to find out the waterbird diversity with special reference to White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis.