Wetlands of Yamuna River (18176)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Wetlands of Yamuna River
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.8688, Longitude: 77.1797
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 210 00
Area of KBA (km2): 46.10215
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: These narrow floodplains lie along a 35 km stretch of the Yamuna River in the environs of Delhi. Several dams and barrages provide relatively large areas of open water. Sand banks and mud flats are exposed at low water levels. Small areas of marshes are present in a mosaic of arable land, pasture, and urban development. There are undoubtedly other stretches of the Yamuna River that are as rich in wildlife, but no information is available on these. We have considered this as Data Deficient site.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: These wetlands are a very important feeding, roosting and breeding area for a variety of both resident and migratory waterfowl, and Bill Harvey has reported 236 species of birds from this area. Over 20,000 birds have been reported regularly from these wetlands and the site qualifies for the A4iii (congregatory) criteria. OTHER KEY FAUNA: There is no information available on other key fauna from this IBA.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Agriculture intensification and expansion; Pollution; Urbanization; Shooting /killing of birds. There are large stretches of water over run by Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes, particularly near the reed beds and barrages. Pollution from domestic and industrial sources is a growing problem. Some illegal shooting and netting of waterfowl occurs occasionally.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |