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Wetlands in Durgapur Barrage , Durgapur Barrage in West Bengal, Durgapur Barrage , Durgapur Barrage West Bengal |
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DURGAPUR BARRAGE Calcutta, West Bengal
Location: in Burdwan district, about 150 km northwest of Calcutta, West Bengal
Area: c.600 ha
Altitude: 67 m
Biogeographical province: 4.8.4 Wetland type: 10, 11, 13,17
Description of site: In 1955, as part of the development of the Damodar river in West Bengal and Bihar, a barrage was consructed across the Damodar at Durgapur for flood control and irrigation purposes. This created a shallow lake about 1.5 km wide and 4 km long. Many islands, some of considerable size, have been formed in the lake as a result of siltation. The water level is kept almost constant throughout the year, varying by only 50-75 cm. An area bed of about 13 ha along the south bank has been enclosed for use as a fish farm. The river bed downstream of the barrage is similar to that of many of the larger rivers of the north Indian plains. In the dry season, there is very little flow of water, and extensive mudflats and sand banks are exposed, but during the monsoon, the entire river becomes a raging torrent. Sand has been extracted from the northern shore of the river, creating an area of marshy land. The environs of Durgapur Barrage include several large industrial sites, particularly to the northeast
Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring in July-September
Principal vegetation: Extensive reed-beds of Phragmites, Juncos, and Carex spp., particularly on the islands, and broad fringes of Eichhornia crassipes. Rice paddies, villages, and industrial sites in adjacent areas
Land tenure: The wetland is owned by the Damodar Valley Corporation Conservation measures taken: No official protection, but the Damodar Valley Corporation has prohibited bathing, fishing, and shooting on the lake, thereby creating, in effect, a wildlife sanctuary
Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring in July- September
Conservation measures proposed: It has been suggested that the site be granted official recognition as a wildlife sanctuary in view of its importance to waterfowl and accessible location
Land use: Primarily flood control and water supply for industrial and domestic consumption. There is some fishing in the lake, and one of the larger islands supports a village of reed-cutters. The reeds are harvested m’ rotation and are used for thatching purposes. Cattle graze on some of the islands. An area of 13 ha enclosed by the south bank efflux bund is used as a fish farm by the State Government
Disturbances and threats: The only real disturbance comes from the small number of local people who fish in the lake from boats. Periodical draining and dredging of the lake to restore its original storage capacity results in a temporary loss of breeding habitat for waterbirds but has no serious long-term effects on the wildlife
Economic and social values: Water supply, flood control, and fisheries production. The lake provides an easily accessible site for viewing waterbirds (a National Highway crosses the eastern bund), and thus has considerable potential for nature-oriented outdoor recreation
Fauna: An important area for a wide variety of both resident and migratory waterfowl, particularly during winter. Gauntlett (1972) recorded 76 species of waterfowl in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Common residents included Tachybaptus ruficollis (maximum 100), Phalacrocorax niger (maximum 150), Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta (maximum 300), Dendrocygna javanica (maximum 3000), Nettapus coromandelianus (maximum 150), Hydrophasianus chirurgus (maximum 200), Metopidius indicus (maximum 60), Vanellus indicus, and Chlidonias hybrids. The lake regularly holds over 10,000 ducks in winter; 13 species were recorded by Gauntlett, the commonest being:
Anas strepera (maximum 1000) A. crecca (1000) Anas acuta (18,000)
A. querquedula (500) Aythya fuligula (200)
Sarkidiornis melanotos was also found to be a regular winter visitor, with up to 70 present at one time.
About 25 species of shorebirds were recorded on passage and in winter.
Peak counts included:
50 Pluvialis dominica 40 Tringa erythropus
20 T. nebularia 20 Tochropus
100 T. glareola 100 Calidris minuta
and several hundred Calidris temminckii. Up to 100 Anastomus oscitans have been recorded as occasional visitors
Location: in Burdwan district, about 150 km northwest of Calcutta, West Bengal
Area: c.600 ha
Altitude: 67 m
Biogeographical province: 4.8.4 Wetland type: 10, 11, 13,17
Description of site: In 1955, as part of the development of the Damodar river in West Bengal and Bihar, a barrage was consructed across the Damodar at Durgapur for flood control and irrigation purposes. This created a shallow lake about 1.5 km wide and 4 km long. Many islands, some of considerable size, have been formed in the lake as a result of siltation. The water level is kept almost constant throughout the year, varying by only 50-75 cm. An area bed of about 13 ha along the south bank has been enclosed for use as a fish farm. The river bed downstream of the barrage is similar to that of many of the larger rivers of the north Indian plains. In the dry season, there is very little flow of water, and extensive mudflats and sand banks are exposed, but during the monsoon, the entire river becomes a raging torrent. Sand has been extracted from the northern shore of the river, creating an area of marshy land. The environs of Durgapur Barrage include several large industrial sites, particularly to the northeast
Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring in July-September
Principal vegetation: Extensive reed-beds of Phragmites, Juncos, and Carex spp., particularly on the islands, and broad fringes of Eichhornia crassipes. Rice paddies, villages, and industrial sites in adjacent areas
Land tenure: The wetland is owned by the Damodar Valley Corporation Conservation measures taken: No official protection, but the Damodar Valley Corporation has prohibited bathing, fishing, and shooting on the lake, thereby creating, in effect, a wildlife sanctuary
Climatic conditions: Tropical monsoon climate, with most of the rainfall occurring in July- September
Conservation measures proposed: It has been suggested that the site be granted official recognition as a wildlife sanctuary in view of its importance to waterfowl and accessible location
Land use: Primarily flood control and water supply for industrial and domestic consumption. There is some fishing in the lake, and one of the larger islands supports a village of reed-cutters. The reeds are harvested m’ rotation and are used for thatching purposes. Cattle graze on some of the islands. An area of 13 ha enclosed by the south bank efflux bund is used as a fish farm by the State Government
Disturbances and threats: The only real disturbance comes from the small number of local people who fish in the lake from boats. Periodical draining and dredging of the lake to restore its original storage capacity results in a temporary loss of breeding habitat for waterbirds but has no serious long-term effects on the wildlife
Economic and social values: Water supply, flood control, and fisheries production. The lake provides an easily accessible site for viewing waterbirds (a National Highway crosses the eastern bund), and thus has considerable potential for nature-oriented outdoor recreation
Fauna: An important area for a wide variety of both resident and migratory waterfowl, particularly during winter. Gauntlett (1972) recorded 76 species of waterfowl in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Common residents included Tachybaptus ruficollis (maximum 100), Phalacrocorax niger (maximum 150), Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta garzetta (maximum 300), Dendrocygna javanica (maximum 3000), Nettapus coromandelianus (maximum 150), Hydrophasianus chirurgus (maximum 200), Metopidius indicus (maximum 60), Vanellus indicus, and Chlidonias hybrids. The lake regularly holds over 10,000 ducks in winter; 13 species were recorded by Gauntlett, the commonest being:
Anas strepera (maximum 1000) A. crecca (1000) Anas acuta (18,000)
A. querquedula (500) Aythya fuligula (200)
Sarkidiornis melanotos was also found to be a regular winter visitor, with up to 70 present at one time.
About 25 species of shorebirds were recorded on passage and in winter.
Peak counts included:
50 Pluvialis dominica 40 Tringa erythropus
20 T. nebularia 20 Tochropus
100 T. glareola 100 Calidris minuta
and several hundred Calidris temminckii. Up to 100 Anastomus oscitans have been recorded as occasional visitors
For Wetlands in Durgapur Barrage
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