Jengdia Beel and Satgaon (18085)
India, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2005

National site name: Jengdia Beel and Satgaon

Central coordinates: Latitude: 26.2667, Longitude: 91.7667

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 45 to 50

Area of KBA (km²): 9.77948

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Jengdia or Jaingia Beel is located north of Guwahati city in Kamrup district. It is a freshwater lake with marshes on the fringe. The IBA lies in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra river. There are hillocks nearby covered with degraded mixed scrub and shrub vegetation. Satgaon village is known for the nesting of Greater and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius and L. javanicus. The village is c. 25 km from Guwahati by road, otherwise it is just 5 km as the crow flies.

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: Jengdia Beel is known for migratory waterfowl, and Satgaon village for the nesting colonies of Greater and Lesser Adjutants. The Greater Adjutant, often seen in Guwahati city, breeds here (Hilloljyoti Singha pers comm. 2002). According to A. U. Choudhury (pers. comm. 2003), during 1994-95, there were 17 nests of Lesser Adjutant and seven of Greater Adjutant. In the previous years, more nests of both species were there and now the number has decreased due to cutting of trees and killing of young, by Garo and Bodo tribes living nearby, for the pot. However, cutting of trees is the main problem as the villagers often resent killing of these birds. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Not many large mammals survive in this area as it is densely inhabited. However, Leopard Panthera pardus, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and Golden Jackal Canis aureus are occasionally seen.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | urban/industrial/transport

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial	33
Wetlands(Inland)	33
Shrubland	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Agricultural intensification and expansion; Felling of nesting trees; Siltation; Excessive fishing. The destruction of nesting trees is the main issue. The Government of Assam at the behest of Shri. Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister of State for Environment & Forests has prepared an action plan, and implementation is being done with the help of other stakeholders (Choudhury 2003).

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Pollution	Excess energy	Noise pollution	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing

Additional information

References: Choudhury, A. U. (2003). Conservation of the Greater Adjutant Stork in and around Guwahati city. Dept. of Environment & Forests, Government of Assam, Guwahati. Pp. 3.