Indian Skimmer sighted at creek on Kakinada coast

Indian Skimmers are water bird species which fly low over the water bodies with beak open. They are found along large rivers like the Chambal river, near the sand-bars.
Indian skimmers are mainly found along large rivers in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Its population is declining due to degradation of wetlands and rivers. Sand Mining and construction of dams devoids them suitable places for nesting.
In mid-2020, IUCN degraded its status from vulnerable to ENDANGERED.

It has the largest surviving patch of Mangrove forests in Andhra Pradesh with more than 65 Mangrove tree species.
Home for the rare, endangered Smooth Indian Otter, Fishing Cat, Estuarine Crocodile.
The Sanctuary in the estuary of River Godavari supports rich mangrove vegetation with species like Rhizophora, Avicennia, Sonneratia, Aegiceros.

There is a request by environmentalists to declare Kumbhabhishekam mudflat of Kakinada coast as a part of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary as Indian Skimmer birds in large numbers have been sighted in this region.
This mudflat is present at just 3.2 kms away from the Coringa Sanctuary and supports migratory birds in large numbers.
Since it is present very near to the deep sea port there is greater threat to this region if not recognised and protected.

Today Current Affairs Upsc Exam Syllabus & Previous Yearpaper.