Publications

Publications

Also available on Google Scholar and ResearchGate.

Research in Progress
Spatiotemporal threat mapping across White-bellied Heron strongholds: a multi-year assessment of anthropogenic disturbance intensity and distribution in Bhutan's major river systems. Manuscript under review.
Anthropogenic habitat degradation as a driver of reproductive failure in the White-bellied Heron: linking landscape-scale disturbance to breeding performance outcomes. Manuscript under review.
Cumulative and compounding anthropogenic pressures on Bhutan's major river systems: long-term trajectories of ecological degradation and implications for critically endangered species. Manuscript under review.
A quantitative ethogram of nesting behavior in the White-bellied Heron: parental investment strategies, chick developmental milestones, and behavioral ontogeny revealed through continuous nest camera surveillance. Manuscript in preparation.
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Acharja, I. P., Green, M. C., Okahisa, Y., Phuntsho, T., Tobgay, T., Khandu, P., & Shimano, S. Increasing variability and declining breeding success: A major challenge in the conservation of the critically endangered Ardea insignis (White-bellied Heron). Ornithology, ukag017. 2026.
DOI
Acharja, I. P., Okahisa, Y., Green, M. C., Lhendup, T., Tshering, S., Phuntsho, T., Tobgay, T., Lungten, L., Tshering, J., & Leki, S. Investigation of effective conservation measures for the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis using an integrated population model and Bayesian population viability analysis. Avian Conservation and Ecology, 20(1):19. 2025.
DOI
Wanner, M., Siemensma, F., Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., Khandu, P., Lal Gajmer, S., Gyeltshen, C., Dorji, T., Tenzin, K., & Shimano, S. Testate amoebae from the wetlands of the Phobjikha Valley of Bhutan, the Eastern Himalaya. European Journal of Protistology, 126125. 2024.
DOI
Lungten, L., Acharja, I. P., Tobgay, T., Phuntsho, T., & Lhendup, T. Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in White-bellied Heron landscape Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu River, Bhutan. International Journal of Fauna and Biological Studies, 10(4):09–17. 2023.
Maheswaran, G., Acharja, I. P., Sharma, L. K., Mondal, H. S., Mukherjee, T., Alam, I., & Majumder, A. Save the white-bellied heron from extinction. Science Science, 373(6561):1317. 2021.
DOI
Nishiumi, I., Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., Yoshikawa, M., Khandu, P., Gajmer, S. L., Tsukasa, W., Tenzin, K., & Shimano, S. Applying molecular sex identification methods to "Karma", the injured Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) of Phobjikha. Journal of the Bhutan Ecological Society, 4. 2021.
Dorji, T., Tshering, S., Wangchuk, N., & Acharja, I. P. Biomonitoring of health of Chubachu stream using macroinvertebrate diversity. Bhutan Journal of Research and Development, 10(2). 2021.
Acharja, I. P., Tshering, S., Lhendup, T., & Phuntsho, T. First observation of sexual conflict and parental infanticide in the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis. BirdingASIA, 35:38–42. 2021.
Khandu, P., Gale, G. A., Pradhan, R., Acharja, I. P., & Bumrungsri, S. First record of successful breeding of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) in broadleaved trees. The Journal of Animal and Plant Science, 30(2). 2020.
Acharja, I. P. Evaluation of nest habitat, site preferences, and architecture of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis in Bhutan. Bird Conservation International, 30(4):599–617. 2019.
DOI
Acharja, I. P. The current population, distribution, and conservation status of the critically endangered White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) in Bhutan. Tropical Resources — Bulletin of the Yale Tropical Resources Institute, 38:1–10. 2019.
Book Chapters & Theses
Acharja, I. P. White-bellied Heron. In: The Restless Rivers: Yarlung Tsangpo-Siang-Brahmaputra-Jamuna (G. Pangare, B. Nishat, X. Liao, & H. M. Qaddumi, eds.). International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank, Washington. pp. 145–146. 2021.
Acharja, I. P. Ungulate distribution, abundance, and habitat use in Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary. (Unpublished master's thesis). Forest Research Institute (Deemed) University, Dehradun, India. 2014.
Technical Reports & Conservation Strategies
Tobgay, T., Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., & Wangdi, N. White-bellied Heron Conservation Action Plan 2022–2031. Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) & Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan. 2022.
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Acharja, I. P., Tshering, J., Phuntsho, T., Tshering, S., Lhendup, T., & Hetch, D. White-bellied Heron Conservation Center Establishment and Management Plan, 2021. Royal Society for Protection of Nature. 2021.
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Acharja, I. P. The White-bellied Heron Annual Population Survey 2021. Royal Society for Protection of Nature. 2021.
Acharja, I. P. The White-bellied Heron Annual Population Survey 2020. Royal Society for Protection of Nature. 2020.
RSPN Developing Ecosystem-based Solutions for Managing Biodiversity Landscapes in Bhutan: A rapid biodiversity assessment in White-bellied Heron habitats along Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu basins, Bhutan. Royal Society for Protection of Nature. 2022.
RSPN Ecosystem and Socio-economic Resilience Analysis and Mapping: A pilot assessment in White-bellied Heron habitats along Punatsangchhu and Mangdechhu basins. Royal Society for Protection of Nature. 2022.