Manabum and Tengapani Reserve Forests (18046)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Manabum and Tengapani Reserve Forests
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.7000, Longitude: 96.0833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 313.19903
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA consists of two large and contiguous reserve forests, Tengapani (44,400 ha) and Manabum (136 ha) in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The site covers flat plains of the Lohit river as well as low to medium hills, which are part of the Dapha Bum Range of Mishmi Hills. A large number of perennial streams are found in this IBA. Most of this IBA forms part of Eastern Himalaya Endemic Bird Area with a small area resembling the Assam Plains (Stattersfield et al. 1998). Tall wet savanna grassland covers small areas, often along the bends of streams. However, Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest, although degraded at places, forms a major part of the site (A. U. Choudhury pers. comm. 2003).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: Though it is a large forested area rich in biodiversity, this IBA was overlooked in many of the earlier surveys (Singh 1995, 1999). The White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata has been reported from both the reserve forests (Choudhury 1996). Some of the unexplored areas of this IBA are potential sites for the threatened Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata and White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis. Another threatened species, the Purple Wood or Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea was also reported but needs confirmation. Occurrence of five species of hornbills including the threatened Rufous-necked Aceros nipalensis (mainly seen in winter) and Near Threatened Great Pied Buceros bicornis and Brown Anorrhinus tickelli is noteworthy (A. U. Choudhury pers. comm. 2003). OTHER KEY FAUNA: Among the major mammals are the Tiger Panthera tigris, Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Gaur Bos frontalis and a large population of Hoolock Gibbon Hylobates hoolock (Choudhury 2003).
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Encroachment; Felling of trees; Poaching; Grazing. The major issue is encroachment and felling of trees. As a large part of the site is flat or gently sloping, encroachment for settlement and cultivation is a major concern. Charaching and grazing of cattle are other problems. The area is recommended as a protected area for the conservation of Gaur Bos frontalis (Choudhury 2002), which will also help protect a large habitat of the White-winged Duck.
Additional information
References: Choudhury, A. U. (1996) Survey of the White-winged Wood Duck and Bengal Florican in Tinsukia district and adjacent areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Rhino Foundation for Nature in NE India. Guwahati. Pp. 82. Choudhury, A. U. (2002) Distribution and Conservation of the Gaur Bos gaurus in the Indian Subcontinent. Mammal Review 32(3): 199-226. Choudhury, A. U. (2003) The mammals of Arunachal Pradesh. Regency Publications, New Delhi. Singh, P. (1995) Recent bird records from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Forktail 10: 65-104. Singh, P. (1999) Bird survey in selected localities of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun. Pp. 92. Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) Endemic Bird Areas of the World: Priorities for Biodiversity Conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series No. 7. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.