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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake
the wetland habitats. A pair of Pallas’s Fishing Eagle was found nesting on
Eucalyptus near Jakhro fish form. Among the threatened species, the Blackbellied
tern which is a near threatened species was recorded. On the nearby
wetland called Jhol Dhand, some important species such as greater flamingo,
Pallid Harrier, Common Kestrel, Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle and Chestnut
bellied Sandgrouse were recorded.
4.4.1.3 Chotiari Reservoir
Chotiari Reservoir is located in Sanghar District, it occupies an area of about
18,000 ha and the reservoir exhibits of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The
aquatic features of the reservoir area comprise diversity of small and large size
(1-200 ha) fresh and brackish water lakes. These lakes are a source of
subsistence and commercial fisheries for the local people and habitat for
crocodiles, otters, fresh water turtles and feeding and nesting grounds for variety
of resident and migratory birds. It has diverse habitat for birds, which include
lakes, swamps/marshes/reed beds having somewhat dense vegetation cover,
irrigations canals, riverine forest, cultivates land and desert area. The area
provides suitable habitat for a wide variety of birds. As many as 109 species of
birds have been recorded from the area (Ghalib et al 1999). There are certain
species of birds of particular importance viz. Marbled Teal, Jerdon’s/Sind
Babbler, Pallas’s Fishing Eagle, White-backed Vulture, Saker Falcon, Watercock,
Wood Sandpiper, Knot, Ruff, Painted Snipe and Cliff Swallow.
The main area of the Chotiari reservoir is the wetland where there are marshes
beside the embankment. There are agricultural fields in the northern and western
side. The southern and the eastern sides consist of desert habitat. A total of 80
birds were recorded in the summer survey. Four summer breeding visitors viz.
Water cock, Red Turtle Dove, Blue-cheeked, Bee-eater and Pied Crested Cuckoo
were recorded. Two over summering birds viz. White-tailed Plover, Greenshank
were also recorded. A total of thirty passerines, twenty-five water birds, four
raptors and eleven others including pigeons, doves, cuckoos owls, nightjars,
kingfishers, bee-eaters and rollers were observed. Plain Sand Martin and Barn
Swallow were also quite common at the time. Grey and Black Partridge,
Watercock, Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse, Lesser Golden backed Woodpecker
are also key species found at the site.
The main habitats in the area are wetland and associated marshes, desert habitat
and agriculture areas. During the winter surveys, the nearby dhands were also
surveyed such as Dogriyoon, Naughno, Panihal, Sanghriaro, Rarr & Kharor
dhands. A total of seventy-two species of birds were recorded. Out of which 34
were resident, 34 were winter visitors, three passage migrants and one rare
vagrant Purple Heron (two) and Red-crested Pochard (one) and Greater White
fronted Goose (one) were recorded. Nesting of Pallas’s Fishing Eagle was also
recorded.
4.4.1.4 Pai Forest
Pai forest has forest and agriculture areas as which are home to various habitats
of birds. The total number of bird species recorded was 56. Out of these, 6 were
water birds, 3 raptors, 29 passerines, and 18 others including pigeons, doves,
parakeets, kingfishers, cuckoos, rollers, owlets, nightjars, bee-eater etc. the most
common species were: Little Brown Dove, Little Green Bee-eater and Bank Myna
Two over summering birds viz. Baillon’s Crake and Green Sandpiper and two
summer breeding visitors viz. Pied Crested Cuckoo and Red Turtle Dove were
recorded. Grey Partridge, Common Green Pigeon, Crested Honey Buzzard,
WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 137 of 188