The wetlands within the study zone support a fairly diverse aquatic fauna. Aie river is the only major water body and occupies most of the northern part of the study area. The river is an ideal habitat for varied avifaunal species. Some of the species reported from the river during Asian water fowl census in the year 1996 are Indian shag, Little cormorant, Rudy shelduck, Spot billed duck, Goosander, Little tinged plover, Common sand piper and Temmincks stint and Osprey. The riverine habitat of the Aie river has been greatly threatened by fishing and hunting.

Several large and small waterbodies (lakes and ponds) locally known as beels within the study support diverse species of migratory water fowl. Species of birds sighted during the survey are listed in Table 6.

Table 6. Bird species sighted during the field visit.

 Nature's Foster, a local NGO based at Bongaigaon has reported 156 species of birds from different wetlands in the Bongaigaon district (Appendix - III). This exhaustive list of species is a reflection of richness of bird life in this area. Our own observations during February, 1996 provide convincing evidences of the areas rich avian diversity.