Relevance (UPSC GS-III: Environment & Biodiversity — wetlands, species conservation, community stewardship)

Why this story matters
Naturalist Jadav Payeng has urged Assam to protect the shamukbhonga—the Asian openbill stork. His message is humane and practical: if we care for our wetlands, we care for our birds, farms, and villages. The stork’s fortunes mirror the health of beels, village ponds, and paddy landscapes.

The bird and its role

• The Asian openbill stork (Anastomus oscitans) lives around marshes, beels, oxbow lakes, riversides, and rice fields.
• Its unique, slightly gapped bill is adapted to eat freshwater snails—a natural check on certain pests in paddy belts.
• Healthy stork colonies often indicate clean water, intact nesting trees, and balanced farm practices.
  

What is harming it

• Wetland loss due to filling, encroachment, and unplanned construction.
• Pollution from chemical run-off, dumping, and sewage.
• Disturbance at nesting colonies from tree cutting, noise, or tourism at the wrong time.
• Unsustainable harvesting of snails and fish near breeding sites.
  

Simple fixes that work

• Map nesting trees and declare community protection zones during the breeding season.
• Maintain water levels and buffer vegetation in beels and village ponds; avoid loud activities near roosts.
• Promote balanced nutrients and organic inputs in paddy to reduce toxic run-off.
• Build colony watch teams with schools, self-help groups, and fishing cooperatives for rescue and monitoring.
  

Policies and frameworks to use

• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: protects wild birds, nests, and eggs.
• Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017: regulate harmful activities in wetlands.
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems: supports lake and wetland projects.
• Ramsar Convention and Amrit Dharohar initiative: encourage community-led conservation and wise use of wetlands (for example, Deepor Beel in Assam).
  

Key terms

• Wetland: Water-rich area that supports special plants and animals.
• Ramsar site: A wetland recognised as internationally important.
• Colonial nester: Birds that breed together on shared trees.
• Buffer zone: A quiet protective belt around habitats.
• Ecosystem service: A benefit nature gives us, like pest control or clean water.
  

Exam hook

Frame your answer as: species lens (stork) → habitat lens (wetlands and paddy) → people lens (community stewardship, clean farming, local rules).

UPSC Prelims question

With reference to the Asian openbill stork, consider the following statements:

1. It mainly feeds on freshwater snails in wetlands and paddy fields.
2. It can breed in village landscapes and does not require only protected areas.
3. Reducing chemical run-off from farms supports its food chain and nesting success.

 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

One-line wrap
Protect the stork, protect the wetland—and the village prospers with it.