Kanwar lake

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Context:

• Kanwar Lake, Bihar’s only Ramsar site, faces the challenge of survival.

Kanwar lake

• It is a rainfed lake, located in the Begusarai district of Bihar.
• It is Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake. It's a rainfed lake that was formed by the meandering of the Gandak River, a tributary of the Ganges, and covers a large portion of the Indo-Gangetic plains in northern Bihar.
• It is the first and only wetland in a state of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Kanwar Lake has spread over 6,000-7,000 hectares.
• It's home to 106 bird species, including the Oriental white-backed vulture and Long-billed vulture, and is an important stopover for 58 migratory waterbirds along the Central Asian Flyway.
• In 1986, the state government notified it as a protected area. Later, the central government declared it as a sanctuary to stop the poaching of birds.
• Five critically endangered species that inhabit the site, including three vultures, are –
  • 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).

Source:

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/kanwar-lake-bihar-s-only-ramsar-site-faces-challenge-of-survival-but-not-a-poll-issue-96172