Government of India approved a first-of-its-kind conservation project to protect the breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds in the Ganga Basin, with a special focus on the endangered Indian Skimmer. The project was cleared during the 68th meeting of Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in New Delhi and aligns with the broader goals of the Namami Gange Mission-II.
This initiative marks a major shift towards evidence-based, community-led riverine biodiversity conservation.
Why Sandbar-Nesting Birds Need Protection
Sandbar-nesting birds breed on exposed riverine sandbars during the dry season. Their habitats face increasing threats due to:
- Human disturbance and encroachment
- Unregulated sand mining
- Sudden water level fluctuations
- Climate variability and flow changes
The project prioritises endangered and indicator species — particularly the Indian Skimmer, whose population decline signals deteriorating river health.
It complements NMCG’s existing work on dolphins, fishes, turtles and crocodiles (muggers)– expanding focus to river-associated avifauna.
Ganga Basin Sandbar-Nesting Birds Project Objectives
The project follows a science-driven, long-term ecological approach with the following goals:
- Protection of critical breeding sandbars
- Scientific nest monitoring using standard protocols
- Reduction of anthropogenic disturbances during breeding season
- Community participation and capacity-building
- Creation of long-term ecological datasets for policy planning
The model integrates conservation science + local stewardship to ensure sustainability.
Project Implementation- Key Locations
The initiative will initially cover ecologically sensitive stretches at:
- Bijnor
- Narora
- Prayagraj
Additionally, nest monitoring will continue in:
- Chambal River
- Lower Ganga stretches
These regions support significant riverine bird populations.
Integration with Namami Gange Mission-II
The project aligns with the holistic river-ecosystem approach under Namami Gange-II, shifting focus from only infrastructure to biodiversity-linked river rejuvenation.
Key features include:
- Long-term monitoring & evidence-based interventions
- Community-centric conservation
- Inclusion of polluter-pays principles in protection frameworks
- Consideration of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines, wherever applicable
The initiative strengthens aquatic-terrestrial ecosystem linkages in river management.
Community-Led Conservation at Core
Local, river-dependent communities will be trained to:
- Identify and safeguard active nesting sandbars
- Restrict human movement near breeding zones
- Participate in awareness and monitoring programmes
- Act as grassroots conservation custodians
This promotes environmental democracy and social ownership of river conservation.
Science-Based Monitoring & Policy Relevance
The project adopts a data-driven conservation model, generating insights on:
- Breeding success trends
- Site-level threats
- Habitat shifts and climate impacts
Findings will help design replicable conservation frameworks for other rivers such as:
- Yamuna
- Son
- Gandak (and similar river systems)
Broader Vision Linked to Ganga Basin Conservation
Alongside species protection, discussions highlighted:
- Ecological restoration of Ganga landscapes
- Use of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
- Conservation of cultural + natural river heritage
- Faster execution of priority environmental infrastructure projects
Why Project Matters (Ecological Significance)
Sandbar-nesting birds act as bio-indicators of river health. Their protection helps:
- Maintain natural river-flow dynamics
- Preserve sediment balance & habitat integrity
- Enhance aquatic and avian biodiversity
- Support climate resilience & sustainable ecosystems
It strengthens India’s commitments under biodiversity and climate action frameworks.
About NMCG (National Mission for Clean Ganga)
- Implementing agency of Namami Gange Programme
- Under: Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Registered as a Society under Societies Registration Act, 1860
- Focus areas include:
- River-surface cleaning
- Sewerage treatment
- Riverfront development
- Biodiversity & ecological flow conservation
About Sandbar-Nesting Birds
- Species that breed on exposed sandbars of rivers
- Highly vulnerable to:
- River regulation & dam-controlled flows
- Sand mining and habitat erosion
- Human and livestock interference
- Flooding during incubation period
Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Indicator species of healthy river ecosystems
- Also known as: Indian Scissors-bill
- Distinctive feature: Longer lower mandible adapted for skimming fish
- Major nesting stronghold: Chambal River region (≈20% of global population)
- Also sighted in:
- Parts of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh
- Coastal estuaries of western & eastern India (wintering range)
Nesting Behaviour
- Breeds in late winter–summer on exposed sandbars
- Nests are shallow scrapes in sand
- Lays 3–4 speckled eggs
- Extreme heat risk — adults alternate between:
- Cooling eggs during day
- Warming at night
Major Threats
- Habitat degradation & sand mining
- Disturbance in nesting zones
- Water-level fluctuations during breeding
Protection Status
- IUCN: Endangered
- CITES: Not listed