An annotated checklist of aquatic avifauna in the human-dominated middle stretch of the Ganga River

The Ganga River is a vital riverine habitat for several endangered species of flora and fauna, including waterbirds. The river flows through densely populated cities such as Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi. Major threats to the ecological integrity and hydrology of the river include flow alteration, water abstraction at barrages and dams, riverbed agriculture, unsustainable resource extraction such as fishing and sand mining, and discharge of untreated industrial and domestic effluents. Between 2018 and 2021, we conducted avifaunal surveys of the 750 km stretch of the Middle Ganga River and documented 107 aquatic avifaunal species belonging to 11 orders and 25 families. Among the observed species, three are Vulnerable and 11 are Near Threatened. Our study documents the rich diversity of aquatic avifauna despite human‑in‑ duced habitat degradation and unsustainable resource extraction. We highlight the need for more focused conservation efforts supported by firm policy and legislation.