In News:

• The Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) in Uttarakhand, famed globally for its tigers, has recently emerged as a crucial sanctuary for raptors, with a preliminary survey confirming the presence of 30 species of birds of prey.
• Conducted jointly by the State Forest Department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the survey has documented several rare and threatened species, including the Pallid Fish Eagle, whose nesting in the region is extremely rare.

Corbett Tiger Reserve: Overview

• Location: Foothills of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand.
• Established: Originally as Hailey National Park in 1936; first national park in India and the first to be included under Project Tiger.
• Terrain: Undulating with valleys; rivers Ramganga, Pallaen, and Sonanadi traverse the reserve.
• Vegetation: North Indian tropical moist and dry deciduous forests, with sal and mixed forests, interspersed with grasslands and riparian vegetation.
• Ecological Significance: A vital ecological corridor supporting both tiger populations and diverse avian species.

Pallid Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus)

• Common Names: Pallas’s Sea Eagle, Band-Tailed Fish Eagle.
• Size & Appearance: Large, brownish sea eagle.
• Habitat: Near lakes, rivers, and marshes, ranging from lowlands to 5,000 metres elevation.
• Diet: Primarily fish, but also opportunistically hunts other prey.
• Breeding: Builds large nests in tall trees, usually near water bodies.
• Distribution: East Palearctic regions — Kazakhstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
• Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN Red List).
• Threats: Habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing, and human disturbances.
• Significance in CTR: The discovery of a nesting site indicates active breeding, highlighting the reserve as a safe habitat for this threatened raptor.

Raptor Diversity in CTR

• Total Species Documented: 30 species of raptors, including both resident and migratory birds.
• Nesting Species: Evidence of nests from nine raptor species, including:
  • Crested Serpent Eagle
  • Hawk Eagle
  • Red-Headed Vulture
  • Indian Spotted Eagle
  • White-Rumped Vulture
  • Egyptian Vulture
  • Indian Vulture
• Significance: The presence of nests indicates active breeding, confirming CTR as a protected and thriving habitat for raptors.

Conservation and Ecological Implications

• The discovery emphasizes CTR’s dual role as a tiger reserve and a key sanctuary for avian predators.
• Historical declines in vulture populations due to habitat disruption and veterinary drug use underscore the importance of protected habitats like CTR.
• CTR provides a superior ecological corridor, allowing threatened and migratory species to breed and sustain populations.
• Ongoing surveys aim to collect species profiles, population counts, and nesting specifics, forming the basis for targeted conservation strategies.