By Manoj Kumar Ojha
Guwahati: A rare Crested serpent eagle was recovered by forest department from Hukonguri Tea Estate in Borhapjan near Doomdooma in Tinsukia district of upper Assam Tuesday.
The district, 500 kilometers south-east to capital Guwahati, is known for its rich flora and fauna including two national parks– Dihing Patkai and Dibru Saikhowa.
Two employees of the tea garden spotted the injured rare eagle in the garden and informed the forest department’s personnel at Doomdooma.
The rare eagle was rescued by the forest personnel with the help of few nature lovers.
The eagle was later sent to the Wildlife Trust of India’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center at Guijan in Tinsukia for treatment.
The eagle was found with minor injuries to its wings.
More than 350 rare species of birds which have been sighted significantly by birdwatchers are struggling for their existence due to deforestation and climate change and coming out of their natural habitats.
The crested serpent eagle a rather large heavily built bird with a dark white tipped bushy Crest that gives it a distinctive large headed look .
According to Bird Life International, it frequents large forested regions, rivers and wetlands in the low lands and foothills up to 2,400m,but usually below 1,000m.
Loss of frequent habitats along rivers, siltation, overfishing and increasing human disturbances of waterways and others are causing widespread declines. It is also declining in other states of India partly because of pesticides use….says Birdlife International on its website.
According to International union for conservation of nature, there are ten thousands to fifty thousands of them and their population is on decline.
The sighting shows how the habitats are changing and the ranges are now expanding.
“We must care all the rare species of eagles as well as other birds .” Pranav Phukan , a bird lover told Our India .