Recently, a study based on satellite data has flagged a high rate of deforestation in a major hornbill habitat in Arunachal Pradesh. Ecologists used fine-scale satellite imagery to assess the changes in forest cover of the 1,064 sq.km. covering the Papum Reserve Forest (RF) adjoining the Pakke Tiger Reserve as well as a part of Assam affected by illegal felling and ethnic conflict.
The satellite data pointed to alarming deforestation rates in Papum RF with annual loss rates as high as 8.2 sq.km. as per estimates from 2013-2017 where forest cover declined to 76% of the total RF area. Significant hornbills in the biologically rich forests of the Indian Eastern Himalayas reflect habitat loss and degradation and underscore the need for habitat conservation efforts.
There is also a species of hornbill in India called Narcondam Hornbill which is very small in number and found only on Narcondam Island in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Hornbill Festival, which shows the regional culture and tradition of Nagaland, is held every year from 1 to 10 December. This festival attracts a large number of tourists from abroad. Many people wish to go to this festival to be held in Kisama village of Nagaland. Significantly, this species of hornbill bird has been identified as Oriental pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris). It is said that this year more than 300 hornbills have been seen in Tripura. The Tripura Forest Department has placed the ‘Oriental Pied Hornbill’ in Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary for rearing and breeding.
