Annual Asian Waterbird Census to commence from Jan 21
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 19 2026:
The annual Asian Waterbird Census for 2026 is scheduled to take place in various Important Bird Areas and wetlands across Manipur this week.
The census, a joint initiative by the Forest Department, Environment & Climate Change Department, and Loktak Development Authority, aims to monitor wetland health and track waterbird populations.
The exercise will be conducted in two phases across several key wetlands.
Loktak Lake (a Ramsar Site) and Tangjeng Pat are slated for the census on January 21, 2026, from 5 am to 2 pm.
The second phase, on January 22, 2026, will cover Lamphel Pat, Yaralpat, Ikop Pat, Waithou Pat, Purnlen Pat, Kharung Pat, and Utra Pat, during the same hours.
Waterbird censuses provide vital scientific data for the management and conservation of these important ecosystems and the waterbirds that rely on them, including both resident and migratory species.
The data gathered helps assess threats and informs future conservation policies.
In a release, the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Manipur has urged all concerned, particularly inhabitants residing around the specified wetlands, to suspend any activities that may disturb the waterbirds or the census teams during the specified dates and times to ensure the successful conduct of the census.




