Kanwar lake which was once a migratory bird paradise, now struggles for its survival.
About Kanwar lake:
It is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake located in It is also known as Kabartal jheel which is a rainfed lake.
It is a residual oxbow lake, formed due to the meandering of Gandak river, a tributary of Ganga. It is covering the majority of the Indo-Gangetic plains in northern Bihar,
The Wetland is an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, with 58 migratory waterbirds using it to rest and refuel. It is also a valuable site for fish biodiversity with over 50 species documented.
Five critically endangered species inhabit the site, including three vultures – the red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), white-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) – and two waterbirds, the sociable lapwing (Vanellus gregarius) and Baer’s pochard (Aythya baeri).
Threats:Major threats to the site include water management activities such as drainage, water abstraction, damming and canalization.
What is an oxbow lake?
It is a curved lake formed alongside a winding river as a result of erosion and sediment deposition over time.
Oxbow lakes are typically crescent-shaped and are common features in floodplains and low-lying areas near rivers.
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