White Bellied Heron (WBH) was first sighted by the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in Punatsangchhu in 1975. White-bellied heron, Ardea insignis, declared a critically endangered bird species in the IUCN Red List is recorded only in Bhutan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and North Myanmar. Subsequently the Birds ecology remained hazy until the Royal Society of Protection of Nature (RSPN) initiated the first scientific study of the birds as part of an overarching conservation program.
RSPN's ecological research into WHB's is unique in the world. Ecologist have collected considerable data through surveys of the birds, their nests, behavior and feeding habits, the rivers water quality and fish availability. The research has also included participatory monitoring of the species by the local people. The initiative has established protection of WHB at Punatshangchuu,Wangdue phodrang Dzongkhag and at Berti., Zhemgang Dzongkhag as they are two important WBH habitat areas in Bhutan. Concerns related to the rapidly developing Punatsangchu Hydro power on protection of White- Belied Heron and migrant fish species such as Maheer were raised at a coordination meeting on August 1st 2008. Acknowledging the importance of such concerns and support to the conservation strategies would help the white bellied Heron and Mahseer populations in Punatsngchu to avoid ecological disaster.
It is reportedly among the 50 rarest bird species according to Bird Life International. Less than 200 individuals of this heron are estimated to occur in the entire world. About 31 white-bellied herons were recorded in Bhutan in 2007.
Hence, in addition to already existing conservation effort of WHB, the SGP fund has been sought under project name ?The Protection of White Bellied Heron (WHB)?. Recognizing the conservation importance of the White-bellied heron and the vulnerability of its habitats mainly due to hydro- power development and quarrying of river beds, the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) implemented the project on ?Protection of White-bellied heron?
The project carried out mass awareness and education campaigns on the conservation of White-bellied heron and its ecology in seven communities and established local support groups. Over nine consultation and awareness meetings were carried out with expatriate workers and management of Punatshangchu Hydropower Project.
To improve the food availability and feeding ground of the heron, and to provide incentive to local support groups, 11 community fish ponds were established. Annual Census conducted from 27 February to 3 March 2015 recorded 28 White-bellied Herons, and five nests with 11 chicks as of June 2015.