Maguri Motapung Beel

Maguri Motapung wetland, there’s its incredible scenery that most people have not had the privilege of seeing with their own eyes. It serves as a refuge and food source to many species, including residents and migratory birds, and aquatic animals who call the wetland home. It is a critical part of the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve, forming an environmental corridor to Namdhapa National Park. With a variety of amazing flora and fauna and impressive terrain, one must-see for one’s self what this place has to offer first hand.

Check the below-mentioned facts about Maguri Motapung Beel for the IAS Exam preparation.

Maguri Motapung Beel – Why in news?

The beautiful and uncommon Mandarin duck has been swimming in the Maguri-Motapung wetland in Assam’s Tinsukia region. The duck was reportedly seen first on February 8th of 2021 and was first spotted by Madhab Gogoi, a birder and tour guide in Tinsukia. This attractive bird quickly became a celebrity in the marshy wetland– which was impacted by an explosion and fire at a nearby natural gas well in May 2020.

What is the Mandarin duck?

The Mandarin duck, also known as the Aix galericulata, is a small exotic-looking bird native to East Asia. Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus first discovered it in 1758. These ducks are exceptionally beautiful, with magnificent colours that can be spotted from quite a distance!

• This duck populates near waterways such as marshes, rivers, swamps, lakes in temperate woods.
• Russia, Korea, Japan, and northeastern China are breeding grounds for this migratory duck.
• On the other hand, the Mandarin duck seldom travels to India since it is not on its typical migratory path. Only a few sightings have been reported in this area.
• The duck was previously identified in 1902 in the Rongagora district of Tinsukia, near the Dibru River.
• It was last seen in Manipur’s Loktak Lake in 2013 and Assam’s Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in 2014.

Characteristics

• It is often regarded as one of the most stunning ducks on the planet.
• The male Mandarin is quite handsome with orange plumes on his cheeks, pale orange on his sides, and orange sails on his back. Though not as spectacularly dressed as the male, the female is no less lovely. Her head sports grey feathers; brown feathers cover her back, and her eyes are framed by white like an eyestripe.

What is the significance of the Maguri beel?

The Maguri Motapung wetland is one of India’s most important bird areas. The Maguri Motapung wetland is a bird watchers’ fantasy. The Bombay Natural History Society declared this important bird area for its incredible birds, including many endangered species! Aside from all the amazing facts, this ecosystem is also very important in conservation as it’s home to at least 304 various migratory birds, many of which are endemic species like Black-breasted parrotbill and Marsh babbler.

Know: Who was the founder of Bombay Natural History Society?

• One of northeastern India’s best birdwatching destinations is Maguri Motapan. It’s a freshwater lake attracting many visitors because of its pristine water, the fact that it is a haven for migratory birds and endangered species, and a growing number of wildlife conservationists consider the lake to play an important role in keeping our unique ecology intact.
• An explosion and burning at an Oil India Limited gas well in May 2020 had a negative impact on the beel. A lot of fish, snakes and a vulnerable Gangetic dolphin died due to the oil leak, and the fire blazed a big area of the grassland.
• There has been a significant recovery resulting from at least nine rounds of flooding last year that washed away the oil. While most of the migration season began in September, the migratory birds did not arrive until November, probably due to the fire, which was only put out then.

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