White-bellied heron is a critically endangered species as per the IUCN’s category (2007). With the current global population estimated to be less than 200, Bhutan is said to be home to 26 of them.

It forms a living but fragile sanctuary for some 1.5 million birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African spoonbill ... is a vital but fragile sanctuary for species such as the ...