The wetlands within the study zone support a fairly diverse aquatic fauna. Aie river is the only 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 ringed plover, Common sand piper and Temmincks stint and Osprey. The riverine habitat of the Aie river has been greatly threaten by fishing and hunting.

Several large and small water bodies (lakes and ponds) locally known as beels within the study area support diverse species of migratory water fowl. Species of birds sighted during the survey conducted in February 1997 and February 2000 are listed in Table 7.

Table 7. Bird Species sighted During the Field Visit

Nature's Foster, a local NGO based at Bongaingaon has reported 156 species of birds from different wetlands in the Bongaigaon district in the year 1996 (Appendix - II). Based on the last four year's of observations, the members of Nature's Foster have now updated the earlier prepared checklist of birds. Over 200 species of birds known from Bongaigaon (Pers. Comm., Arnab Bose, 2001). Our own field observations during the February, 1997 and February 2001 provide convincing evidences of the area's rich avian diversity.