DJANET – A recent survey conducted by the Forest Conservation department has revealed the presence of 319 breeding birds belonging to 12 species in various wetland areas of the Djanet province. The survey covered wetland zones in the Ihrir region, the Tigharghart wastewater treatment plant (STEP), and other water bodies. Among the species identified were the grey heron, white stork, ruddy shelduck, Barbary partridge, and other nesting birds, according to Farroudja Dakkel, the Forest Conservator.
This year’s survey indicated an increase in the avian population and the species that have taken up residence in the region. For the first time, the sighting of the Golden Heron was recorded in the Djanet region due to an abundance of its food sources—small fish and insects.
The Forest Conservation department also noted that between January 20 and 31, a survey was conducted to count migratory birds in the wetland areas and water bodies of the region. A total of 585 migratory birds, representing six species, were recorded during the winter census.
In collaboration with various partners, the department conducts regular counts of migratory and resident birds to establish a monitoring baseline for wetland areas and to create a list of migratory bird species in the region, all in the interest of biodiversity conservation, said Dakkel.
Aside from natural wetland zones, artificial wetlands, primarily consisting of wastewater treatment plants (STEP), have had a positive impact on biodiversity and ecosystem preservation. These areas have become favorable sites for bird nesting and reproduction, she added.
The survey covers both classified and unclassified wetland areas, including the Ihrir area, which is designated under the Ramsar Convention—an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
Ihrir provides the ideal natural, ecological, and touristic conditions with numerous water bodies that serve as habitats for migratory birds, attracting both national and international tourists.
In collaboration with the Directorate of Environment and civil society actors, the Forest Conservation department actively engages in campaigns to raise awareness about the significance of preserving migratory birds, including rare species, and the importance of their fauna in ecosystem protection, stated Mme Dakkel.
Furthermore, the Forest Conservation department, in coordination with the National Gendarmerie, the Tassili N’Ajjer National Cultural Park Office, and the Algerian Customs services, conducts patrols and interventions to protect migratory birds and take action against any violations of regulatory measures in this regard, concluded the Forest Conservator of the Djanet province.