Biodiversity Heritage Sites

Majuli River Island in River Brahmaputra is the largest river island in India. The fertile floodplains and highly productive wetlands support a wide variety of resident and migratory birds. More than 250 species of birds have been recorded. These include the two globally endangered species of vultures (Oriental White-backed Vulture and Slender Billed Vulture), two endangered species (Greater Adjutant and Bengal Florican) and 9 vulnerable species (Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Adjutant, Baer's Pochard, Pallas's Fish-Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Swamp Francolin, Marsh Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler and Black-breasted Parrotbill). Majuli has been categorized as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

It is eminent for its rich ecological and cultural heritage. It is also famous for producing 100 varieties of paddy without application of fertilisers and pesticides.

Intertidal coastal stretch of nearly 7.3 km provides the habitat of Ocypod macrocera, Dotilla myctiroides, Uca lactea, Varanus sp, Herpestes sp, Canis aureus, Felis chaus and many other varieties.

The site is habitat of wild animals & rare species of plants and grass. More than 150 species of birds, 24 species of mammals, have been recorded in this area. The natural plantation of Bori (Zizyphus jujube) tree is unique and survived since old ages.

Canary Pahad BHS, in Hazaribag District is a Hilly Area spreading over an area of 2110.67 Acre which comes under Hazaribag East Forest Division. Canary Pahad BHS is situated about 704 meters above mean sea level. Major species of this site are Shorea robusta, Buchanania lanzan, Sterculia urens etc. 

The site consists of many Rare Endangered Species such as Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Boswella serrata, etc.

Site is situated on the Maikal mountain range which links the Vindhyachal and Satpura mountain ranges, at about 1067 meters above mean sea level. Site has unique terrain of 1700 ft. deep valley and ecosystem of estimated age of 6 Million year and species of rare flora & fauna including rare Bryophytes and Pteridophytes. Site is spread over 8367 .49hectare area. Amarkantak ecological system is the origin of three major rivers which contributes to water security of India, which need to be conserved.

It is a centre established for conservation and rehabilitation of critically endangered species of Gharial.

Tungkyong Dho (Lake) is believed to be one of the oldest natural dho (lake) directly related to the Hee-Youngmingmoo clan of Lepcha community in Dzongu. Dzongu valley is a specially protected area for aboriginal/ indigenous primitive tribes considered to be the original inhabitant of Sikkim called as Lepchas and a very unique cultural and historical significance. The Lepchas, as in other communities have their own share of clan or caste and are nature worshipper and custodians since time immemorial. The Lepchas sanctify this sacred lake yearly through ‘MUN PUDIM’ and through lama also.

The area harbours considerable number of plant species including Acer oblongum, Albizia sp, Alnus nepalensis, Bischofia javanica, Castanopsis tribuloides, Cryptomeria japonica, Duabanga grandiflora, Juglans regia, Macaranga pustulata, and Schima wallichii. Some of the mammals found in the area are Asia black bear, rhesus monkey, porcupine, palm civet, flying squirrel, barking deer, goral, squirrel, yellow-throated marten, jackal, jungle cat, otter, wild-boar, pangolin, etc.

 It also harbour numerous bird species like like black bulbul, black drongo, great barbet, grey treepie, chestnut crowned laughing thrush, common kestrel, blue whistling thrush, serpent eagle, long-tailored minivet, oriental magpie, oriental turtle dove, white crested laughing thrush, etc.

The fish Schistura hiranyakeshi was spotted for the first time in a pond at the Mahadev Temple at Amboli in Sindhudurg district , Western Ghats The 2.11 ha area has now been declared as ‘Shistura Hiranyakeshi Biological Heritage Site’ in April 2021. It has become the 5th such heritage site in the state of Maharashtra. The fish was found by the team led by Tejas Thackeray, a wildlife researcher, and son of Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Mawtneng BHS is a vital area for biodiversity conservation due to its rich floral and faunal diversity. The Mawtneng BMC is responsible for management of BHS under guidance of Meghalaya SBB and in accordance with BHS guidelines issued by NBA.

It is popularly believed to be a relic of the Chola Dynasty that ruled nearly 800 years ago, is spectacle of awesome wonder and a freakish site. This BHS spread over 54 acres comprising a population of nearly 300 trees, is a picture of dynamic pattern of plant diversity. The significant component of this popular structure is a group of old plants standing like ageless sentinels, firmly rooted to the ground with their gigantic trunks, along with large picturesque crowns spread very high and aloft like open wings.

This lake is a natural habitat of Critically Endangered freshwater ‘Black Softshell turtle’ Nilssonia nigricans and Endangered ‘Indian Peacock Softshell turtle’ Nilssonia hurum besides other major flora and fauna. This site also harbour the threatened species like Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Vulnerable Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) etc.

Chilkigarh Kanak Durga Sacred Grove is a remnant forest with traditional beliefs and taboos of local inhabitants and rich in biodiversity covering an area of 55.9 acres in Jhargram District of West Bengal.

Treasure trove of medicinal plants comprising 1055 floral species including 849 angiosperms, 56 pteridophytes, 40 bryophytes, 45 lichens , 2 angiosperms and 63 macrofungi. The Faunal diversity of 500 species includes 43 mammals, 161 birds, 16 amphibians, 118 butterflies, 27 dragonflies7 damselflies and 83 spiders Two endemic species, a plant , Ficus conccina var. dasycarpa and a spider, Peucetia harishankarensis are endemic to this hill. Two historical monuments , Nrusinghhanath and Harishankar temples located in the Northern and Southern slopes respectively in the foothills have immense cultural significance. These are two major pilgrimage sites of Odisha . Moreover, famous traveller, Hiusen Tsang described this hill shrine as a Buddhist Heritage Site, "Parimalagiri". The site has its socio-economic, ecological and biological significance and long history of human association

It offers refuge to Black Softshell Turtle Nilssonia nigricans listed under Appendix I of CITES and extinct  in the wild category of IUCN.

Sirpur lake is an important habitat of Migratory birds and is also declared as Ramsar Site and Important Bird Area, which is very important from Biological point of view and which needs to be protected and it is a source of livelihood for Local communities.

This area is vital for biodiversity conservation due to its rich floral and faunal diversity. There are about 175 floral species and 177 faunal species present in Sirpur Lake, which includes 130 species of birds, 14 species of reptiles, 34 Butterfly species and other animals.