Chandrapur: A survey along the Wainganga riverfront in Bhandara recorded as many as 48 bird species and 31 nests belonging to three bird species during a Monsoon Bird Walk organised by Save Ecosystem and Tiger (SEAT) on Saturday.The survey began at 7 am and covered the stretch from Officers’ Club to Ring Road, Wainganga Water Tourism Area and Ganeshpur cremation ground. Sixteen participants, divided into three teams, conducted systematic observations of birds, nests and habitats. All sightings were uploaded to eBird platform.The surveyed landscape, comprising wetlands, riverbanks, grasslands, scrubland and agricultural fields, supported a diverse range of waterbirds and other species. Several native aquatic plants were also documented.However, participants expressed concern over the spread of invasive Eichhornia (water hyacinth) and Ipomoea, which are affecting the wetlands.Honorary Wildlife Warden Shahid Khan said the survey highlighted the Wainganga riverfront’s importance as a biodiversity habitat and stressed that scientific habitat management and systematic removal of invasive plants were essential to conserve the area while developing it as a sustainable nature-tourism destination.
