Mangrove Pitta [UPSC Notes]

The first-ever census reveals 179 sightings of mangrove pitta birds in two coastal Odisha districts. What are the mangrove pitts birds? What is their IUCN status? Get answers to these and more questions about the mangrove pitta birds found in Odisha in this article. This topic is important for the IAS exam environment and ecology segment.

Mangrove Pitta Birds

Image source: The Hindu

Mangrove Pitta birds are a near-threatened species found in a few pockets of eastern India, including Odisha’s Bhitarkanika and West Bengal’s Sundarbans. In April 2023, the first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds was conducted in two coastal districts of Odisha, revealing the sighting of 179 such birds. 

• Mangrove pitta birds are small, brightly coloured birds that forage on the ground and rest on trees.
• The Mangrove Pitta bird (Pitta megarhyncha) is a species of bird that is found in several regions of eastern India, including the Bhitarkanika area of Odisha and the Sundarbans of West Bengal. 
• It also inhabits coastal mangrove forests in other countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
• Their population is under threat due to habitat loss and degradation caused by human activities.
• The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Status: Near Threatened.

Importance of Mangrove Pitta Birds:

• The Mangrove Pitta bird is a bio-indicator of the health of mangrove forests. 
• These forests are crucial to maintaining the ecological balance in coastal areas. 
• The presence of the bird indicates that the mangrove ecosystem is healthy and functioning properly, while its absence can indicate disturbances or imbalances in the ecosystem. 

Mangrove Pitta Birds Census Methodology

• The census was mainly focused on the mangrove patches all along the coasts of the Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts. 
• The census was carried out by the point count method, either by walking in the forest or using country boats in the creeks. 
• In this exercise, information was collected on the distribution, habitat and breeding of mangrove pittas along the coastal mangroves, with a benchmark set up for subsequent population analysis.

Census Results:

• A total of 179 individual mangrove pitta birds were counted in the census, using direct sighting and their chirping.
• The highest concentration of the birds was found in the mangroves near the Mahipura river mouth inside the Bhitarkanika National Park. 

Significance  for Conservation:

• This finding is significant, as it provides valuable information on the habitat preferences of the birds, which can be used for targeted conservation efforts. 
• The census also establishes a baseline for future population analysis of the species.
• It also highlights the importance of preserving the mangrove forests and their ecosystem services, which are crucial for the survival of the species. 
• The Bhitarkanika National Park witnessed the arrival of 1,39,959 birds of 140 species in January 2023, indicating its significance as a bird habitat. 
• Therefore, conservation efforts should focus on protecting the mangrove forests and promoting sustainable use of their resources.

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