White-bellied Heron and Hydropower Threat in Arunachal Pradesh

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A proposed 1,200 MW hydropower project on the Lohit River in Arunachal Pradesh threatens the survival of the White-bellied Heron.
This species is currently recognized as one of the rarest and most threatened birds in the world.

The White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) is also known as the imperial heron or great white-bellied heron.
It belongs to the family Ardeidae and is the 2nd-largest heron in the world.
It relies strictly on fast-flowing eastern Himalayan rivers surrounded by undisturbed, mature riparian forests.
The bird feeds mainly on fish in shallow rapids up to elevations of 1,500 m above sea level.

It has a flexible neck and a sharp serrated bill to catch fish in deep water.
Short legs and a compact body help it stay stable in swift currents, while long toes grip slippery rocks.
Standing up to 4 feet tall, it waits completely still and strikes rapidly when fish swim close.
It lives a solitary life, makes deep croaking sounds at dawn and dusk, and nests in tall trees.

The IUCN Red List classifies this bird as Critically Endangered, and India gives it top legal protection under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Fewer than 60 individuals survive in the wild across Bhutan, India, Myanmar, China, and Bangladesh.
Bhutan holds ~45% of the global population with 3-5 active breeding pairs, serving as its final stronghold.
The species is already extinct in Nepal and is likely extinct in Bangladesh.
India shelters only 6-9 individuals, primarily in Arunachal Pradesh across the Noa-Dehing River, Lahm River, and Lohit River.
The Lahm River basin contains 70% of India's population, while Walong Cantonment near the project site serves as a breeding ground.

As a bio-indicator for Himalayan freshwater ecosystems, its presence shows good water quality and healthy fish stocks.
Hydropower dams disrupt river flows, fragment habitats, and alter water clarity, directly impacting the bird's survival.
Habitat loss, hunting, human disturbance, and a very small gene pool further increase its risk of extinction.

India needs to establish dedicated conservation breeding facilities to protect the remaining population.
India can adapt successful strategies from Bhutan, which operates the world's first captive facility for hatching and rearing this endangered species.