Imphal: The rarest duck in the world, the Tufted Pochard, also called Nganu Sadaang in the local dialect, has been spotted again in Manipur in Loktak, the state's largest lake in the northeast. After almost 40 years, several migratory bird species have begun to return after their winter hiatus, according to M Asnikumar, chairman of the Loktak Development Authority.
According to the LDA chairman, Manipur wildlife conservationists hailed a major ecological victory this winter when the rare waterbird known as the Tufted Pochard made a comeback to Loktak Lake after over 40 years of absence. Small diving ducks with eye-catching plumage and a floppy crest, tufted pochards—also called tufted ducks—are frequently spotted in groups. They mostly eat by diving and sleep for the majority of the day. The males are black with a drooping crest and dazzling white flanks.
Dark-brown females have a white patch at the base of their bill, a short crest, and paler flanks. When in flight, both sexes display a striking white wing stripe. These animals travel throughout Eurasia to breed, and they spend the winter in central Africa, India, and Southeast Asia.
According to M. Asnikumar, their comeback demonstrates Loktak Lake's growing ecological health and serves as a positive sign of conservation efforts. In order to safeguard the winter visitors and prevent unlawful hunting, he also urged the fishing community and those living near the lake to assist.
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