IMPHAL, Jan 20: After a gap of 86 years, Oriental White Ibis locally known as Mayang Urok was sighted during Loktak Water Bird Census conducted today at Loktak Lake and Tangjeng Pat.
The water bird census was carried jointly by the Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing and the Indian Bird Conservation Network in association with local clubs.
Altogether 250 enumerators counted water birds at 50 places of Loktak Lake and Tangjeng Pat.
Citing records, Indian Bird Conservation Network Manipur coordinator RK Birjit said that Oriental White Ibis was sighted in Manipur by Hume in 1888 and Higgins in 1932.
Altogether six Oriental White Ibis which are highly endangered and included in the IUCN’s red list were sighted today.
However, the number of water birds which migrate to Loktak Lake and surrounding areas during winter season has declined considerably this year on account of the high water level of the lake and fishing during night using LED bulbs.
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