Godavari Estuary to Witness 40th Asian Waterbird Census on January 10–11

The 40th Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) along with the 60th International Waterbird Census (IWC) will be conducted in January 10 and 11, 2026. The Census will conducted at the Godavari estuary, including the ecologically rich Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh. This large scale biodiversity exercise highlights India’s growing role in wetland conservation, migratory bird monitoring, and global ecological research. The census is especially significant as the Godavari estuary is one of the rare sites in India where two globally endangered migratory birds the Indian Skimmer and the Great Knot can be sighted together, making it a priority landscape for avian conservation.

Organising Institutions and Collaboration

The census at the Godavari estuary will be jointly conducted by,

• Andhra Pradesh Forest Department
• Bombay Natural History Society
• Wildlife Institute of India
• World Wide Fund for Nature

This multi institutional collaboration ensures scientific accuracy, global comparability of data, and community participation, as local birdwatchers and volunteers are also encouraged to join the census effort.

About the Asian Waterbird Census

• The Asian Waterbird Census is a long-running citizen science and scientific monitoring programme coordinated annually across Asia as part of the global International Waterbird Census.
• Conducted in every January it tracks the population status, distribution, and trends of migratory and resident waterbirds across wetlands.
• The 2026 edition marks the 40th Asian and 60th International Waterbird Census, underlining six decades of continuous global ecological monitoring.
• In Coringa this will be the 10th time the census is being conducted, reflecting the site’s long-term importance in waterbird research.

Key Species in Focus

The 2026 census will particularly focus on four migratory waterbird species, all of which visit the Godavari estuary during winter for feeding and roosting.

Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis)

• The Indian Skimmer is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Known for its unique feeding style skimming the water surface with its elongated lower mandible.
• It depends heavily on undisturbed sandbars and estuarine habitats.
• India hosts a major portion of its global population, making its monitoring critically important.

Great Knot (Calidris tenuirostris)

• Also classified as Endangered, the Great Knot migrates from Arctic breeding grounds to coastal wetlands in Asia and Australia.
• Habitat loss in intertidal zones has led to a sharp global decline, making the Godavari estuary a vital wintering site for the species.

Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)

• The Eurasian Curlew, listed as Near Threatened, is the world’s largest wader.
• Declining due to wetland degradation and climate change, its presence provides important insights into the health of coastal mudflats.

Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus)

• A striking coastal bird, the Eurasian Oystercatcher depends on shellfish-rich intertidal zones. Its numbers act as indicators of coastal ecosystem productivity and food availability.

Why the Godavari Estuary Matters

The Godavari estuary, located along India’s eastern coast, forms a complex network of mangroves, mudflats, creeks, and sandbars. The Coringa mangroves are the second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India, after the Sundarbans.

This estuarine system provides,

• Rich feeding grounds for migratory birds
• Shelter from predators and harsh weather
• Breeding and nursery habitats for fish and crustaceans

The coexistence of Indian Skimmer and Great Knot at this site makes it globally significant for waterbird conservation.

Scientific and Conservation Significance

Waterbirds are considered bio-indicators, meaning their population trends reflect the overall health of wetlands. Data collected through the Asian Waterbird Census is used to,

• Assess wetland health and degradation
• Track long-term population trends
• Identify priority conservation sites
• Support Ramsar site management and policy decisions

For India, such data strengthens commitments under international biodiversity frameworks, including the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

Key Takeaways

• 40th Asian Waterbird Census & 60th International Waterbird Census on January 10–11, 2026.
• Conducted at Godavari estuary, including Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh).
• Focus species: Indian Skimmer (Endangered), Great Knot (Endangered), Eurasian Curlew (Near Threatened), Eurasian Oystercatcher.
• Godavari estuary is one of the few Indian sites where Indian Skimmer and Great Knot coexist.
• Organised by AP Forest Department, BNHS, WII, and WWF.
• Important for wetland conservation, migratory bird monitoring, and biodiversity policy.

Question

Q. Which Indian state hosts the Godavari estuary, a key site for the 2026 census?

A. Tamil Nadu
B. Odisha
C. Andhra Pradesh
D. West Bengal