Sauj Lake (18435)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Sauj Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.0167, Longitude: 79.1833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 140 00
Area of KBA (km2): 4.38701
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Sauj Lake lies beside the Karhal-Kishni main road, close to the town of Saman, just before the Saman Bird Sanctuary. The lake is a shallow depression in the landscape. A culvert on the road near Sauj village is an ideal high point from which one can view the entire lake. A canal on the northern side of the lake brings in agricultural runoff, and another to the south takes away excess water to the Saman Bird Sanctuary. Agriculture is restricted to two sides of the lake, the third side is bordered by the village, and the fourth is a flooded grassy meadow providing habitat for a range of water birds throughout the year. This lake has been under observation for over a century now, though not on a regular basis. References to it can be found in Sauey et al (1987), and it has been detailed by Scott (1990) as an important wetland area, and also briefly mentioned by Rahmani (1989), giving the number of Blacknecked Storks Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus sighted. The greenbrown colour on the surface of the lake changes when light pink lotuses bloom immediately after the monsoon. The water of the lake is almost completely covered by lotus Nelumbo, and bordered with Saccharum on one side, and with a few scattered clumps of Ipomoea carnea .
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: Sauj is one of the excellent waterbodies of western Uttar Pradesh, where more than 20,000 waterbirds are regularly seen. A very large flock of 2,500 Great White Pelicans Pelecanus onocrotalus was counted between December 1999 and February 2000 on this relatively small lake (K.S. Gopi Sundar pers. comm. 2003). According to Wetlands International (2002), 1% non-breeding South Asian population threshold of this species is only 230. Therefore, sighting of such large numbers of Great White Pelicans in such a small waterbody is of great significance. The largest flock of Sarus Crane Grus antigone seen between 1999- 2002 numbered 210 birds, and flocks exceeding 150 individuals are common throughout the year in summer and in winter. At least three breeding, territorial pairs of Sarus have made the lake their permanent home, and chicks are seen regularly (K.S. Gopi Sundar pers. comm. 2003). Two pairs of Black-necked Stork can be commonly seen foraging regularly in the lake. Flocks of Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala number over 100 individuals, as do Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans and Black-headed or White Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Owing to the proximity of the village, fields and a main road, wild mammals are rare to find in and around the lake. Flap-shell Turtle Lissemys punctata is very common in the lake, and many individuals can be seen crossing the road in the monsoon.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Cultivation; Agricultural expansion on the banks. Though Sauj village is on the banks of the lake, there is presently very little pollution by sewage in the lake. However, there is the risk of eutrophication due to increased agricultural activity around the lake, and overuse by villagers for grazing pigs and livestock. Hunting is very rare and was observed only once between December 1999 and June 2002. Water chestnut is not cultivated, and this is probably the most important reason for the good condition of the waterbody. There is very little pressure on the lake presently and little reason for concern. However, the situation needs to be maintained for the lake to be of continued use to cranes and other waterfowl.
| 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 |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Only in the future |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Rahmani, A. R. (1989) Status of the Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus in the Indian subcontinent. Forktail 5: 99-110. Sauey, R. T., Das, P. and Prakash, V. (1987) A Recent Survey of the 19th Century Wintering Sites for Siberian Cranes in the Gangetic Basin. In: Proc. 1983 International Crane Workshop (Archibald, G. A. and Pasquier, R. F. eds.). pp 197-204. International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wisconsin. Scott, D. A. (1990) A Directory of Asian Wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K.PP Wetlands International (2002) Waterbird Population Estimates – Third Edition. Wetlands International Global Series No. 12. Wageningen, The Netherlands.