Sandbar-Nesting Birds in Ganga Basin

30 Dec 2025

Sandbar-Nesting Birds in Ganga Basin

The Government has approved a first-of-its-kind conservation project to protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds in the Ganga basin.

About the News

  • The decision was taken in the 68th Executive Committee meeting of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in New Delhi.

About the Project to Protect Sandbar-Nesting Birds in Ganga Basin

  • Primary Objectives: Protect and conserve breeding habitats (sandbars and islands) for endangered sandbar-nesting birds.
    • Focus on long-term monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based conservation.
    • Reduce human disturbance to sensitive nesting sites.
    • Enhance overall river-related faunal biodiversity.
  • Target Species: Primary focus: Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)
    • Includes other sandbar-nesting species such as Black-bellied Tern, River Tern, River Lapwing, and Great Thick-knee.
  • Location: Nest Monitoring will continue in existing sites (Chambal River and Lower Ganga stretches); new initiation in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh).

What are Sandbar-Nesting Birds?

  • Sandbar-nesting birds are riverine bird species that lay their eggs and raise chicks on exposed sandbars formed within rivers during low-water seasons.
  • Key Features: Nest on open, flat sand deposits in river channels. No constructed nests—eggs laid directly on sand.
  • In India, they are found along major rivers such as the Ganga River, Yamuna, Chambal, and Brahmaputra
    • They prefer wide, braided river stretches with minimal vegetation
  • Examples of Sandbar-Nesting Birds:
    • Indian Skimmer
    • River Tern
    • Little Tern
    • Black-bellied Tern

National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)

  • The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) is the implementing authority for the Namami Gange Programme.
  • It functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation).
  • Backed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, giving it statutory powers for river protection.
  • Objectives: 
    • Abatement of pollution in the Ganga river.
    • Rejuvenation and conservation of the river ecosystem.
    • Ensure sustainable and continuous flow (Aviral & Nirmal Dhara).
  • Institutional Structure: Governing Council chaired by the Prime Minister. Executive Committee chaired by the Director General, NMCG.

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Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)

  • Indian Skimmer is a distinctive riverine bird known for its bright orange bill with a longer lower mandible used for surface-feeding.
  • Sandbar-Nesting BirdsHabitat: Prefers large rivers, estuaries, and sandbars; strongly associated with the Ganga, Chambal, Son, and Mahanadi river systems.
  • Feeding Adaptation: Feeds by skimming the water surface in flight to catch small fish—highly specialized behavior.
  • Breeding: Nests on exposed river sandbars during the dry season (March–May), making it vulnerable to disturbance.
  • Conservation Status: Listed as Endangered (IUCN)
  • Major Threats:
    • River regulation (dams, altered flows)
    • Sand mining and bank modification
    • Human disturbance and livestock trampling at nesting sites
    • Pollution and reduced fish availability
  • Indicator Species: Acts as a bio-indicator of healthy river ecosystems and natural flow regimes.

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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