Halali Reservoir (18308)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Halali Reservoir
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.5000, Longitude: 77.5000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 458 00
Area of KBA (km2): 44.65729
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Halali reservoir is located 25 km from Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh. The reservoir was created in 1973, when an earthen dam was constructed over the River Halali. Two more rivers, Chamari and Ferozi, feed this huge reservoir. Mainly used for irrigation and fishery, the reservoir attracts a large number of birds during winter. It has vast shallow stretches of water on its western shores. Most of the birds are seen towards the shallow end. Towards the bund side, the forest attracts many terrestrial birds. Although no detailed study has been conducted on the avifauna of this wetland and its environs, some useful information was collected during the winter of 2001-2002.
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: The precise number of species in this area is unknown, but certainly more than 20,000 migratory birds visit the reservoir during winter (Koustubh Sharma pers. comm. 2003). The shallow shores of Halali reservoir can be reached by travelling through undulating village paths, via Islamnagar, which is a famous picnic spot near Bhopal. The area surrounding the villages is often littered with carcasses of domestic cattle. The carcasses can have Oriental White-backed Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed G. indicus and Egyptian Neophron percnopterus vultures feasting on them, along with domestic dogs. The vast open fields around the villages have clusters of trees, distributed sporadically, that provide perches for these scavengers. It is quite possible that these vultures could be nesting here, as was evident from discussions with local villagers. A more detailed investigation to confirm their breeding is required. As a result of the slow recession of water during winter, good roosting and foraging sites emerge on the shores. These areas provide perfect foraging grounds to waterfowl and waders. The presence of an unidentified species of pelicans and the Sarus Crane Grus antigone in the area, along with massive congregations of over 30,000 birds, makes this site a contender for IBA status. OTHER KEY FAUNA: No information.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Poaching and trapping; Use of pesticides by farmers. The reservoir is under the control of the Irrigation Department of Madhya Pradesh. Changes are taking places in the cropping pattern, which could be detrimental to birds, as the farmers have now started using pesticides. Their increasing investment of money and other resources makes them less tolerant to crop damage by birds. Charaching, especially by rich and influential people, is another problem, which could be solved by patrolling by forest guards. Presently, there is no Forest Department staff in the area. There is an urgent need for a study on the socio-economic and ecological importance of this wetland, to develop a long-term conservation strategy that would benefit farmers and birds.
| 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 | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |