Dum Duma, Dangori and Kumsong Reserve Forests (18077)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Dum Duma, Dangori and Kumsong Reserve Forests
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.6583, Longitude: 95.7250
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 140 00
Area of KBA (km2): 63.55625
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Dum Duma (2,880 ha), Dangori (920 ha) and Kumsong (2,250 ha), these three reserve forests in Tinsukia district, in eastern Assam constitute the IBA. The forests of all areas are Tropical Evergreen Rainforest types dominated by Dipterocarpus macrocarpus (Hollong) on flat plains. All these areas are surrounded by tea gardens and human settlements. These forests are known for their populations of White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, but are also important for other wildlife, especially primates. The largest confirmed gathering of the White-winged Duck in the world was recorded in Dangori RF, where 14 were seen roosting at one site in 1995 (Choudhury 1996, 1998). The vegetation type of the sites is mainly Tropical Evergreen Rainforest, dominated by Dipterocarpus macrocarpus, Shorea assamica, Mesua ferrea, Terminalia myriocarpa, Artocarpus chaplasha, Dillenia indica, Anthocephalus cadamba, Bombax ceiba and Ficus spp. There are many jungle pools or ponds in these areas, which are the major haunts of the White-winged Duck.
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) KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Eastern Himalayas Hotspot (2005). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: The site is important for rainforest birds. More than 100 species have been recorded but more are likely to occur (A. U. Choudhury pers. comm. 2002). The White-winged Duck and Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli are noteworthy species while there are reports of the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata from Dum Duma RF (Choudhury 1997). Sino-Himalayan Subtropical Forest species (Biome-8) such as Blue-throated Barbet Megalaima asiatica, Bay Woodpecker Blythipicus pyrrhotis, White-throated Bulbul Alophoixus flaveolus, Black-winged Cuckoo-shrike Coracina melaschistos and Nepal Fulvetta Alcippe nipalensis are commonly seen. This site has been selected as an IBA as it is one of the most important areas for the long-term protection of the globally Endangered White-winged Duck. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Leopard Panthera pardus, Hoolock Gibbon Hylobates hoolock, Capped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus, Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta, Pig-tailed Macaque M. nemestrina, Slow Loris Nycticebus coucang, Malayan Giant Squirrel Ratufa bicolor, Common Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista, Barking Deer or muntjak Muntiacus muntjak and a small herd of Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee (= bubalis). The Wild Elephant Elephas maximus and Tiger Panthera tigris are no longer found here.
Habitats
Land use: forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Habitat destruction; Poaching; Trapping; Egg and duckling collection; Pollution from tea gardens (insecticides); Fishing in jungle pools; Disturbance to the birds. It was proposed that the Dum Duma and Dangori Reserved Forests together be declared as a wildlife sanctuary for the better protection and management of the areas, since both areas are habitats of the White-winged Duck (Choudhury 1996). Kumsong RF has already been encroached upon to a great extent, and there is also illegal tree felling. Sporadic felling is recorded in Dum Duma and Dangori RFs as well. This site urgently needs legal status to prevent further encroachment and curtail poaching. Awareness programmes should be taken up among the villagers, tea garden labourers and management about the importance of these forests for the survival of threatened species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
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. Choudhury, A. U. (1997) Current status of the Masked finfoot in India. Newsletter for Birdwatchers 37(5): 90-91. Choudhury, A. U. (1998) Status and conservation of the white-winged duck in eastern Assam, India. OBC Bulletin 28:14-17.
Contributors: Key contributors: Anwaruddin Choudhury and Kulojyoti Lahkar.