A Lifelong Affair with Odonates

By Neha Mujumdar

 

Dragonflies and damselflies, collectively known as odonates, embody elegance, beauty, resilience, and strength. Watching these creatures is like meditation — at least for me! While charismatic animals like mammals and birds often steal the spotlight, lesser-known insects like odonates offer a world of wonder all of their own. Insects dominate all other animal groups, and a closer look around your home will reveal their astonishing diversity. Among them, odonates stand out, showcasing mastery in aerodynamics and fierce predatory skills. Having evolved even before the time of dinosaurs, they are true ambassadors of adaptation, enduring the test of time with remarkable success.

 

What fascinated me most about odonates was their unique breeding behaviour. Damselflies, with their slender bodies compared to dragonflies, exhibit distinct behaviours during egg-laying. While dragonflies typically release their eggs by briefly touching the water’s surface, damselflies engage in a more complex ritual. Male damselflies often accompany and guide females to the egg-laying site, holding on to their necks. The females then land on aquatic plants and insert their eggs into submerged plant tissues using a sharp ovipositor. This behaviour, known as “underwater oviposition”, is typical of damselflies. In some cases, females even submerge themselves completely while laying eggs. Witnessing this fascinating behaviour left me in awe of these tiny creatures.

 

My curiosity to explore about their breeding behaviour further led me to various places. One unforgettable experience occurred during a visit to Sindhudurg, Maharashtra. The northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and the lowlands of Konkan are a treasure trove of wildlife, with some species of plants, reptiles, and amphibians endemic to the region. While exploring the freshwater habitats, such as seasonal streams, I encountered a pair of damselflies on a palm tree at my eye level. The stream had shallow water, vegetation on both sides, and a thick canopy of trees overhead. I spotted this pair on a Pandanus palm, known locally as ‘kewda’. The male, a small blackish body with faint blue eyes and black lines, was still in tandem with the brownish female – a species named Elattoneura tetrica. At first, I thought they were engaged in a mating ritual, but a closer look revealed they were laying eggs.

 

To my surprise, the female damselfly was laying eggs on a plant well above the water, not beneath it. I watched in amazement as the pair continued this process for at least 25 minutes. I had never seen anything like it before. My mind raced with thoughts about what I was witnessing and whether I had ever read about egg-laying above water. Given that odonates require freshwater for their development from egg to winged adult, this behaviour was unusual. I photographed the pair, their habitat, and the plant to investigate further. Upon reading some research articles, I found that  this behaviour has evolved in some damselflies to protect their eggs from drought or parasitism in the water. Damselflies may select plants with soft wood for egg-laying, and when the larvae hatch, they instinctively fall into the water below to continue growing.

 

I discovered that this might be one of the very few observations in India of oviposition outside water. There are instances where some damselfly species in the Himalaya lay eggs on moss-covered rocks near cold streams. Out of eight species of genus Elattoneura, five are endemic to India and four of those are found in peninsular region. Elattoneura tetrica is an endemic species to the Western Ghats of India, yet we have very little information on its habitat. This random observation turned out to be a significant and memorable experience.  It is this curiosity and these encounters that make my observations fulfilling. I am grateful to contribute valuable information about these lesser-known, yet equally beautiful insects.

 ■ Neha Mujumdar Scientist (Entomology) in the Conservation Department at BNHS, studies the biology of butterflies and odonate.

 

 Chambal Badlands

By Parveen Shaikh

 

In December 2016, I took my first walk along the shores of the River Chambal near Nadgawan village in Agra district of UP. The calm blue waters flowed gently, a serene backdrop to the sunbathing gharials and muggers lining the banks. Nearby, migratory waterbirds rested, and every so often, a Gangetic dolphin would break the surface, accompanied by the graceful flight of a black-bellied tern. The scene was peaceful and utterly captivating.

 

My goal was to spot Indian skimmers, but they eluded me along the shore. Undeterred, I took a boat to explore more of the river. Chambal’s rich aquatic life soon unfolded before me – turtles perched on nearly every rock along the banks. As our boat approached, the soft-shell turtle, Nilssonia gangetica, swiftly slipped into the water, while the hard-shell turtles, Pangshura tecta and Batagur dhongoka, lingered a bit longer, allowing us a better view.

 

While fellow wildlife enthusiasts on the boat were busy with their cameras, capturing every moment, I was content with my binoculars, absorbing the life around the river. My attention soon shifted to the ravine walls along the riverbank, peppered with small burrows – a colony of grey-throated martins had made their home there. The structure of the ravine walls intrigued me, forming a key feature of the Chambal Valley landscape.

 

Many tourists and wildlife enthusiasts visit the Chambal River for its biodiversity, but to me, the most fascinating aspect of this region is its unique landscape. The undulating ravines and gullies create what is known as badland topography, locally referred to as ‘Chambal ki ghati’ or ‘beehad.’ These ravines, shaped over time by constant erosion from streams in this semi-arid region, hold a history of their own. The landscape, expanded at the intersection of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, was once notorious for dacoits. Even today, its rugged terrain offers a refuge for outlaws who evade capture by crossing state lines.

 

The following week, I explored sections of the ravines on the Madhya Pradesh side at Dangbasai with a local wildlife enthusiast. We navigated through gullies and climbed small mounts though the dry, loose soil made the ascent challenging. Some of the ravines plunged as deep as 80–100 m. Researchers have linked these formations to erosion caused by regional climate, rainfall, temperature changes, and even tectonic activity. Walking through the ravines felt like navigating a labyrinth – it was easy to lose track of the route, and I quickly understood why dacoits once used this landscape as a hideout. The numerous paths leading in and out from a single point made it an ideal escape route.

 

After a challenging climb, I was rewarded with a mesmerizing view. A vast expanse of undulating ravines and gullies stretched out before me in shades of nude and brown. In the distance, the calm blue waters of the Chambal River flowed through the valley, creating a striking contrast against the rugged terrain. This intricate network of ravines forms the main catchment area for the river, contributing to its unique ecosystem.

 

Along the way, we spotted footprints of jackals, hyenas, jungle cats, and even leopards, a testament to the rich wildlife inhabiting these ravines. However, signs of human encroachment were also evident – tractor tracks, flattened ravines for cultivation, and mechanical excavators carving pathways were stark reminders of the ongoing impact on this fragile landscape. Such activities pose a serious threat to the natural drainage and catchment areas. Disrupting these patterns could lead to natural disasters in the future and potentially affect the water levels in the river.

 

This landscape is unique, with no parallel elsewhere in the country. While the River Chambal and some of the adjacent ravines are protected under the National Chambal Sanctuary, it is crucial that we conserve this habitat from further degradation. I hope that others, like me, have the chance to experience this remarkable example of nature’s architectural genius.

 

■ Parveen Shaikh, Scientist D studies the Indian Skimmer at the National Chambal Sanctuary and the persistent conservation challenges it faces.

 

Dancing Cranes and Declining Wetlands: The Story of Sarsai Nawar - By Omkar Joshi

Dancing Cranes and Declining Wetlands:
– The Story of Sarsai Nawar 

By Omkar Joshi

Imagine a serene jheel (wetland) coming to life with the flapping wings of thousands of migratory birds, transforming the landscape into a breath-taking display of nature’s beauty each morning and evening. This is Sarsai Nawar, an often-overlooked wetland in Uttar Pradesh, home to a rich but endangered ecosystem.

Nestled in Etawah district, Sarsai Nawar is a seasonal wetland that fills with life after the monsoon rains. This oxbow lake, named after the majestic Sarus Crane – revered as a sacred bird and said to have inspired Maharshi Valmiki in the creation of the ancient epic Ramayana – translates to “Sarus’s wetland.”

During winter, Sarsai Nawar becomes a critical refuge, hosting thousands of migratory birds on their long journeys. Travellers from distant lands, including Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, even the far-flung Arctic region, find sanctuary here. The scene is a delight for birdwatchers, with flocks of ducks and waders bustling about, while eagles and harriers patrol the skies above. The sight of these powerful raptors swooping through the flock, causing a flurry of ducks to take flight in a dazzling display akin to a murmuration, is nothing short of spectacular. With pinpoint accuracy, the sharp-eyed eagle dives into the commotion, targeting the most vulnerable duck.

The reeds provide shelter for reed warblers, grassbirds, and cisticolas, their cheerful chirps adding to the wetland’s lively soundtrack. Tall trees offer nesting spots for black-necked storks, while Egyptian vultures can be seen resting on the barren lands. The flooded croplands are home to waders, who forage for food in the mud. Stints, pipers, plovers, and ruffs, seen in their hundreds, diligently probe the mud for hidden morsels, a crucial ritual that allows them to bulk up before embarking on their long migratory journeys.

This wetland, once a refuge for the now-extinct Siberian crane in India, still holds perhaps the largest congregation of sarus cranes. On my visit, I was fortunate enough to witness these magnificent birds dancing at dusk. Their graceful movements against the backdrop of the wetland created a moment of pure magic. As evening descends, this wetland transforms into a scene of tranquil beauty. In the golden hours of twilight, pairs of sarus cranes converge, their silhouettes gracefully dotting the landscape. By dusk, nearly 250 sarus cranes gather around the wetland from surrounding paddy fields. Under the warm glow of the setting sun, these elegant birds perform a captivating courtship ballet, their dances and resonant calls echoing across the water. As twilight deepens, they retreat to their chosen roosts – either the wetland or the surrounding open fields – where they gather in close-knit groups. For bird enthusiasts, witnessing the world’s largest congregation of sarus cranes is truly incredible.

However, Sarsai Nawar faces significant ecological threat due to human activities. The area’s hydrology is already compromised, with the wetland receiving minimal water from its surroundings. This issue is exacerbated by reduced rainfall, a consequence of climate change. Agricultural expansion has further reduced the wetland’s area, limiting its ability to support the large bird congregations it once did. Runoff of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage has led to pollution and the spread of invasive species like water hyacinth and Typha. Locals revealed additional pressures, such as siltation, which has diminished the wetland’s capacity to hold water. The situation in other nearby wetlands, including protected areas like Saman Bird Sanctuary, is no different.

As we marvel at the beauty of Sarsai Nawar, it is crucial to acknowledge the pressing conservation challenges that threaten this vital wetland. The ecological decline of Sarsai Nawar and other wetlands jeopardizes the migrant and resident avian species that depend on them and serves as a poignant reminder of the broader impacts of human activities on natural habitats. Addressing these issues requires a collective effort to balance development with conservation, ensuring that such important wetlands continue to thrive and support their bird communities for generations to come.

Recognizing its ecological significance, Sarsai Nawar has been designated as a Ramsar Site, marking it as a Wetland of International Importance. This esteemed status underscores its critical role in supporting threatened Sarus Crane with migratory bird species and maintaining global biodiversity. Additionally, the Indian Government has prioritized Sarsai Nawar under the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Migratory Birds. These steps are vital in ensuring that Sarsai Nawar continues to serve as a sanctuary for both resident and migratory birds.

■ Omkar Joshi specializes on bird migration and wetland conservation and safeguarding the Indian Skimmer breeding islands in the Chambal riverscape.