Indian Skimmer Conservation Project: BNHS and NMCG on the Ganga
Why in the news
The Bombay Natural History Society, partnering with the National Mission for Clean Ganga, began a project to safeguard the Indian Skimmer and its nesting areas.
About the bird
- Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis.
- Skims water with its longer lower mandible to catch fish.
- Orange bill, black above, white below; colonial nester, often beside terns.
- An indicator species of healthy rivers.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Large slow rivers; sandbars and river islands |
| Breeding rivers | Ganga, Chambal, Yamuna, tributaries |
| Off-season | Coastal areas |
| IUCN status | Endangered (EN) |
Threats
- Sand mining, dams and barrages, pollution, fewer fish, disturbance at nests.
Project focus
- Protect breeding sandbars, restore habitat, monitor numbers and raise community awareness, aligned with Clean Ganga river rejuvenation.
Exam angle
- Status: Endangered; partners: BNHS and NMCG.