Research Article (Open access) |
---|
SSR Inst. Int. J. Life. Sci.,
5(3):
2302-2316,
May 2019
Current Status
of Ornithofauna of Ambedkar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Akhilesh Kumar1,
Sonika Kushwaha1*
1Indian
Biodiversity Conservation Society, Khailar, BHEL, Jhansi, U.P., India
*Address for Correspondence: Indian Biodiversity
Conservation Society, 1474, Near- Sarvodaya Petrol Pump, Indira Nagar, Khailar
BHEL, Jhansi-284120, Uttar Pradesh, India
E-mail: ibcsforall@gmail.com,
sonika2107@gmail.com
ABSTRACT-
Background: The bird diversity in
many districts of Uttar Pradesh is still unexplored. Information on baseline
data of species can be used to set priorities, allowing conservation effort to
be focused on those species that need the most attention. This study was
therefore undertaken to investigate the Ornithfauna of Ambedkar Nagar.
Methods:
Extensive field surveys were undertaken in all the three season i.e. rainy,
summer and winter. Line transects and point count methods were used for the
bird counting.
Results:
During the three years of study (November 2015 - December 2018), a diverse
variety of 170 bird species was discovered. The highest bird species belonged
to family Passeridae (13) followed by Anatidae (12), Corvidae (12) and
Muscicapidae (11). However, no particular site was discovered that could be
identified as a birding spot in the district. The lakes such as Darvan,
Hanswar, Devhat have the potential to support rich avifaunal diversity however
they were under serious threats due to various anthropogenic activities.
Conclusion:
The study reflects the potential of Ambedkar Nagar to support a rich diversity
of ornithofauna. There was a need to reduce anthropogenic mortality of birds or
to educate the public to support for and to implement remedial measures. The
organization of bird watching events on various occasions such as World
Wetlands Day, International Day for Biological Diversity and World Wildlife
Week will draw the intention and interest of local people and youth. Further
studies based on the ecology of threatened and endangered birds are needed.
Key Words: Anthropogenic,
Diversity, Threats, Mortality, Ornithofauna
INTRODUCTION- As far as bird diversity is concerned, India is a blessed country.
It has more than 1300 bird species which is over 13% of the
world’s bird species [1]. Uttar Pradesh has a rich and varied
Ornithofauna of over 550 species [2]. Still, the bird diversity in
many districts of Uttar Pradesh is still unexplored. This includes Ambedkar Nagar, a district in the Ayodhya
division. Ambedkar Nagar was created on September 29, 1995, and was named in the memory of Dr. Bhim Rao
Ambedkar. Ideally, the forest must be at least 33% of the total geographical
area, but as far as the study area is concerned the forest cover condition is in the distressing state. In 1995 there
was 0.24% forest cover, which got reduced to 0.14% of the total geographical
area in 2012. The situation was even worst in 2005 when the forest area in the
district was just 0.11% [3]. The wild animals found in the district
are not remarkable for either their number or variety. The ordinary species
which occur to the south of the river Ghaghra includes jackals, foxes, wild
boar. Ambedkar Nagar has been traditionally an agriculturally dominated area.
Being an agrarian economy, domestic animals hold an important place in society.
The natural vegetation is replaced by mixed vegetation that includes wild
varieties with groove plantations. Due to fast habitat destruction and
fragmentation, urbanisation, loss of forest and another natural system, mining,
drainage of swamps and other wetlands are reducing the potential habitat of
many birds. Information on baseline data of species can be used to set
priorities, allowing conservation effort to be focused on those species that
need the most attention. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the
Ornithfauna of Ambedkar Nagar.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Study Area- The district carved out from Faizabad is situated in the eastern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh. The River Tamasa (Tons) divides the city of Ambedkarnagar into the two parts Akbarpur and Shahzadpur. Akbarpur is a city and a municipal board. The total area of the district is 2350.0 Sq. Km. The rural area covers 2255.1 Sq. Km. and urban recorded 94.9 Sq. Km. It lies between 26º 09" N to 26º 40"N latitudes and 82º 12" E to 83º 05" E longitudes and bounded in the north by district Basti and Sant Kabir Nagar, in north-east by Gorakhpur, in south by Sultanpur, in the west by Faizabad (Ayodhya) and in the east by district Azamgarh (Fig.1). The district is divided into nine development blocks namely Akbarpur, Katehri, Bhiti, Tanda, Baskhari, Ramnagar, Jalalpur, Jahangirganj and Bhiyaon [4].
Fig. 1: Study Area (Source: GoogleEarth)
The study area has a number of rivers
and streams. The principal rivers are the Ghagra, Tons and
Majohi. There are numerous
large and small lakes spread over the district like Devhat, Hanswar,
and Darvan. The climatic condition of the district resembles that of eastern
Uttar Pradesh that is characterized by a rhythm of seasons classified into
winter Season (November to February), summer Season (March to Mid June) and
rainy season (Mid June to October). The temperature in the summer rises up to 45ºC,
while in winter temperature goes down up to 4ºC. The average annual rainfall of
the district was 1135.5 mm [5].
To
study the avifauna of Ambedkar Nagar an extensive survey of all the nine blocks
of the district was done in all the three seasons i.e. rainy, summer and winter
from November 2015 - December 2018. The birds were observed during most active
and specific time period of the day,
i.e., early morning from 06:00 to 09:00 hours and in the evening from 16:00 to
18:00 hours in the summer while 07:00 to 10:00 hrs in the morning and 15:00 to
17:00 hrs in the winter. Line transects and points count methods were described
by Verner [6] and Bibby et al. [7] were used for the
bird counting. A transect of 50-metre length was selected and a
50-metre wide strip on each side of transect was selected for bird counting. At
each transect, birds were counted using a 10x50 mm binocular, based on their
morphological characteristics such as beak shape and colour, type of foot, the
colour of shank, feathers, foot, and size of birds. Identification was carried
out using standard literature [1,8,9]. For more
authentications of species, photographs of birds were taken using 70 DSLR
Camera. Furthermore, recorded birds were categorised according to their IUCN
status such NA-Not Assessed, LC-Least Concern, NT-Near Threatened,
V-Vulnerable, E-Endangered, CE-Critically Endangered. Based on the frequency of
field observation, the abundance of birds was categorized as Common, Fairly
common, Uncommon and Rare. Questionnaire surveys were also made in the nearby
villages and surrounding of the selected points.
RESULTS- On compiling the data it was found that the
district has 170
bird species belonging to 48 families (Table 1). The highest bird species
belonged to family Passeridae
(13) followed by Anatidae (12), Corvidae (12)
and Muscicapidae (11). Only 1 or 2 species were recorded in 26 families (Fig.
2).
Table 1: List of bird species in Ambedkar Nagar
S. No. |
Common name |
Scientific name |
Abundance Code |
Family |
IUCN Status |
1. |
Jungle bush quail |
Perdicula
asiatica |
UC |
Phasianidae |
LC |
2.
|
Grey
Francolin |
Francolinus pondicerianus |
C |
LC |
|
3.
|
Indian
Peafowl |
Pavo cristatus |
C |
LC |
|
4.
|
Lesser
Whistling Duck |
Dendrocygna javanica |
C |
Dendrocygnidae |
LC |
5.
|
Grey
Lag Goose |
Anser anser |
C |
Anatidae |
LC |
6.
|
Bar
Headed Goose |
Anser indicus |
C |
LC |
|
7.
|
Ruddy
Shelduck |
Tadorna ferruginea |
C |
LC |
|
8.
|
Comb
Duck |
Sarkidiornis melanotos |
FC |
LC |
|
9.
|
Gadwal |
Anas strepera |
C |
LC |
|
10. |
Eurasian
Wigeon |
Anas penelope |
C |
LC |
|
11. |
Spot
Billed Duck |
Anas poecilorhyncha |
C |
LC |
|
12. |
Northern
Shoveler |
Anas clypeata |
C |
LC |
|
13. |
Northern
Pintail |
Anas acuta |
C |
LC |
|
14. |
Common
Teal |
Anas crecca |
C |
LC |
|
15. |
Red
Crested Pochard |
Rhodonessa rufina |
FC |
LC |
|
16. |
Common
Pochard |
Aythya ferina |
C |
LC |
|
17. |
Small
Buttonquail |
Turnix sylvatica |
UC |
Turnicidae |
LC |
18. |
Barred
Buttonquail |
Turnix suscitator |
C |
LC |
|
19. |
Eurasian
Wryneck |
Jynx torquilla |
FC |
Picidae |
LC |
20. |
Brown
Capped Pygmy Woodpecker |
Dendrocopos nanus |
FC |
LC |
|
21. |
Black
Rumped Flameback |
Dinopium benghalense |
C |
LC |
|
22. |
Brown
Headed Barbet |
Megalaima zeylanica |
FC |
Megalaimidae |
NA |
23. |
Coppersmith
Barbet |
Megalaima haemacephala |
C |
LC |
|
24. |
Indian
Grey Hornbill |
Ocyceros birostris |
FC |
Bucerotidae |
LC |
25. |
Common
Hoopoe |
Upupa epops |
C |
Upupidae |
LC |
26. |
Indian
Roller |
Coracias benghalensis |
C |
Coraciidae |
LC |
27. |
Common
Kingfisher |
Alcedo atthis |
FC |
Alcedinidae |
LC |
28. |
White
Throated Kingfisher |
Halcyon smyrnensis |
C |
Halcyonidae |
LC |
29. |
Stork-billed
Kingfisher |
Halcyon capensis |
C |
LC |
|
30. |
Pied
Kingfisher |
Ceryle rudis |
C |
Cerylidae |
LC |
31. |
Green
Bee Eater |
Merops orientalis |
C |
Meropidae |
LC |
32. |
Pied
Cuckoo |
Clamator jacobinus |
FC |
Cuculidae |
LC |
33. |
Common
Hawk Cuckoo |
Hierococcyx varius |
FC |
LC |
|
34. |
Asian
Koel |
Eudynamys scolopacea |
C |
LC |
|
35. |
Sirkeer
Malkoha |
Phaenicophaeus leschenaultii |
UC |
LC |
|
36. |
Greater
Coucal |
Centropus sinensis |
C |
Centropodidae |
LC |
37. |
Alexandrine
Parakeet |
Psittacula eupatria |
FC |
Psittacidae |
LC |
38. |
Rose
Ringed Parakeet |
Psittacula krameri |
C |
LC |
|
39. |
Plum
Headed Parakeet |
Psittacula cyanocephala |
FC |
LC |
|
40. |
House
Swift |
Apus affinis |
C |
Apodidae |
LC |
41. |
Collared
Scops Owl |
Otus bakkamoena |
FC |
Strigidae |
LC |
42. |
Brown
Fish Owl |
Ketupa zeylonsis |
UC |
LC |
|
43. |
Barn
owl |
Tyto alba |
UC |
LC |
|
44. |
Mottled
wood owl |
Strix ocellata |
UC |
LC |
|
45. |
Jungle
Owlet |
Glaucidium radiatum |
FC |
LC |
|
46. |
Spotted
Owlet |
Athene brama |
FC |
LC |
|
47. |
Rock
Pigeon |
Columba livia |
C |
Columbidae |
LC |
48. |
Laughing
Dove |
Streptopelia senegalensis |
C |
LC |
|
49. |
Spotted
Dove |
Streptopelia chinensis |
C |
LC |
|
50. |
Eurasian
Collard Dove |
Streptopelia decaocto |
C |
LC |
|
51. |
Red
Collared Dove |
Streptopelia tranquebarica |
FC |
LC |
|
52. |
Yellow
Footed Green Pigeon |
Treron phoenicoptera |
C |
LC |
|
53. |
Sarus
Crane |
Grus antigon |
UC |
Gruidae |
NT |
54. |
White
Breasted Waterhen |
Amaurornis phoenicurus |
C |
Rallidae |
LC |
55. |
Purple
Swamphen |
Porphyrio porphyrio |
C |
LC |
|
56. |
Common
Moorhen |
Gallinula chloropus |
C |
LC |
|
57. |
Common
Coot |
Fulica atra |
C |
LC |
|
58. |
Common
snipe |
Gallinago gallinago |
FC |
Scolopacidae |
LC |
59. |
Common
Redshank |
Tringa totanus |
C |
LC |
|
60. |
Common
GreenShank |
Tringa nebularia |
C |
LC |
|
61. |
Green
Sandpiper |
Tringa ochropus |
FC |
LC |
|
62. |
Wood
Sandpiper |
Tringa glareola |
C |
LC |
|
63. |
Common
Sandpiper |
Actitis hypoleucos |
C |
LC |
|
64. |
Pheasant
tailed jacana |
Hydrophasianus chirurgus |
C |
Jacanidae |
LC |
65. |
Bronze
Winged Jacana |
Metopidius indicus |
C |
LC |
|
66. |
Eurasian
Thick Knee |
Burhinus oedicnemus |
C |
Burhinidae |
LC |
67. |
Black
Winged Stilt |
Himantopus himantopus |
C |
Charadriidae |
LC |
68. |
Little
Ringed Plover |
Charadrius dubius |
C |
LC |
|
69. |
Yellow
Wattled Lapwing |
Vanellus malarbaricus |
UC |
NA |
|
70. |
River
Lapwing |
Vanellus duvaucelii |
FC |
NT |
|
71. |
Red
Wattled Lapwing |
Vanellus indicus |
C |
LC |
|
72. |
Small
Pratincole |
Glareola lactea |
FC |
Glareolidae |
LC |
73. |
River
tern |
Sterna aurantia |
FC |
Laridae |
NT |
74. |
Oriental
Honey Buzzard |
Pernis ptilorhyncus |
FC |
Accipitridae |
LC |
75. |
Osprey |
Pandion haliaetus |
FC |
LC |
|
76. |
Black
Shouldered Kite |
Elanus caeruleus |
FC |
LC |
|
77. |
Black
Kite |
Milvus migrans |
C |
LC |
|
78. |
Egyptian
Vulture |
Neophron perconpterus |
FC |
E |
|
79. |
Shikra |
Accipiter badius |
C |
LC |
|
80. |
White
Eyed Buzzard |
Butastur teesa |
FC |
LC |
|
81. |
Eurasian
Marsh harrier |
Circus aeruginosus |
C |
LC |
|
82. |
Little
Grebe |
Tachybaptus ruficollis |
C |
Podicipedidae |
LC |
83. |
Darter |
Anhinga melanogaster |
FC |
Anhingidae |
NT |
84. |
Little
Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax niger |
C |
Phalacrocoracidae |
LC |
85. |
Indian
Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis |
C |
LC |
|
86. |
Great
Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax carbo |
FC |
LC |
|
87. |
Purple
Heron |
Ardea purpurea |
C |
Ardeidae |
LC |
88. |
Grey
Heron |
Ardea cinerea |
C |
LC |
|
89. |
Little
Egret |
Egretta gargetta |
C |
LC |
|
90. |
Great
Egret |
Casmerodius albus |
C |
LC |
|
91. |
Intermediate
Egret |
Mesophoyx intermedia |
C |
LC |
|
92. |
Cattle
Egret |
Bubulcus ibis |
C |
LC |
|
93. |
Indian
Pond Heron |
Ardeola grayii |
C |
LC |
|
94. |
Little
Heron |
Butorides straitus |
UC |
LC |
|
95. |
Black
Crowned Night Heron |
Nycticorax nycticorax |
FC |
LC |
|
96. |
Black
Ibis |
Pseudibis papillosa |
FC |
Threskiornithidae |
LC |
97. |
Glossy
ibis |
Plegadis falcinellus |
FC |
LC |
|
98. |
Black-headed
ibis |
Threskiornis melanocephalus |
FC |
NT |
|
99. |
Painted
Stork |
Mycteria leucocephala |
C |
Ciconiidae |
NT |
100.
|
Asian
Openbill |
Anastomus oscitans |
FC |
LC |
|
101.
|
Woolly
Necked Sork |
Ciconia episcopus |
FC |
V |
|
102.
|
Black
Necked Stork |
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus |
C |
NT |
|
103.
|
Lesser
Adjutant |
Leptoptilos javanicus |
UC |
NT |
|
104.
|
Long
Tailed Shrike |
Lanius schach |
C |
Laniidae |
LC |
105.
|
Bay-backed
Shrike |
Lanius vittatus |
FC |
LC |
|
106.
|
Rufous
Treepie |
Dendrocitta vagabunda |
C |
Corvidae |
LC |
107.
|
House
Crow |
Corvus splendens |
C |
LC |
|
108.
|
Large
Billed Crow |
Corvus macrorhynchos |
C |
LC |
|
109.
|
Eurasian
Golden Oriole |
Oriolus oriolus |
C |
LC |
|
110.
|
Black
Hooded Oriole |
Oriolus xanthornus |
FC |
LC |
|
111.
|
Large
Cuckoo shrike |
Coracina macei |
UC |
LC |
|
112.
|
Small
Minivet |
Pericrocotus cinnamomeus |
FC |
LC |
|
113.
|
White-browed
fantail |
Rhipidura aureola |
FC |
LC |
|
114.
|
Black
Drongo |
Dicrurus macrocercus |
C |
LC |
|
115.
|
Common
Iora |
Aegithina tiphia |
FC |
LC |
|
116.
|
Common
Woodshrike |
Tephrodornis pondicerianus |
FC |
LC |
|
117.
|
Asian
Paradise-flycatcher |
Terpsiphone paradisi |
FC |
LC |
|
118.
|
Oriental
Magpie Robin |
Copsychus saularis |
C |
Muscicapidae |
LC |
119.
|
Indian
Robin |
Saxicoloides fulicata |
C |
LC |
|
120.
|
Black
Redstart |
Phoenicurus ochruros |
FC |
LC |
|
121.
|
Pied
Bushchat |
Saxicola caprata |
C |
LC |
|
122.
|
Brown
Rock Chat |
Cercomela fusca |
FC |
LC |
|
123.
|
Common
Stonechat |
Saxicola torquata |
C |
LC |
|
124.
|
Red-throated
flycatcher |
Ficedula parva |
FC |
LC |
|
125.
|
Verditer
flycatcher |
Eumyias thalassina |
FC |
LC |
|
126.
|
Tickell’s
Blue flycatcher |
Cyornis tickelliae |
FC |
LC |
|
127.
|
Grey-headed
canary flycatcher |
Culicicapa ceylonensis |
FC |
LC |
|
128.
|
Bluethroat |
Luscinia svecica |
FC |
LC |
|
129.
|
Brahminy
Starling |
Sturnus pagodarum |
C |
Sturnidae |
LC |
130.
|
Chestnut-tailed
Starling |
Sturnus malabaricus |
FC |
LC |
|
131.
J |
Jungle
mynah |
Acridotheres fuscus |
FC |
LC |
|
132.
|
Asian
Pied Starling |
Sturnus contra |
C |
LC |
|
133.
|
Common
Mynah |
Acridotheres ginginianus |
C |
LC |
|
134.
|
Bank
Mynah |
Acridotheres ginginianus |
C |
LC |
|
135.
|
Great
Tit |
Parus major |
FC |
Paridae |
LC |
136.
|
Plain
Martin |
Riparia rupestris |
FC |
Hirundinidae |
LC |
137.
|
Barn
Swallow |
Hirundo rustica |
C |
LC |
|
138.
|
Wire
Tailed Swallow |
Hirundo smithii |
FC |
LC |
|
139.
|
Streak-throated
swallow |
Hirundo fluvicola |
FC |
LC |
|
140.
|
Red
Whiskered Bulbul |
Pycnonotus jocosus |
C |
Pycnonotidae |
LC |
141.
|
Red
Vented Bulbul |
Pycnonotus cafer |
C |
LC |
|
142.
|
Zitting
Cisticola |
Cisticola juncidis |
FC |
Cisticolidae |
LC |
143.
|
Grey
Breasted Prinia |
Prinia hodgsonii |
FC |
LC |
|
144.
|
Ashy
Prinia |
Prinia socialis |
C |
LC |
|
145.
|
Plain
Prinia |
Prinia inornata |
C |
LC |
|
146.
|
Oriental
White Eye |
Zosterops palpebrosus |
C |
Zosteropidae |
LC |
147.
|
Common
Tailorbird |
Orthotomus sutorius |
C |
Sylviidae |
LC |
148.
|
Common
Chiffchaff |
Phylloscopus collybita |
C |
LC |
|
149.
|
Hume’s
Lesser Whitethroat |
Sylvia althaea |
FC |
LC |
|
150.
|
Yellow
Eyed Babbler |
Chrysomma sinense |
C |
LC |
|
151.
|
Common
Babbler |
Turdoides caudatus |
FC |
LC |
|
152.
|
Large
Grey Babbler |
Turdoides malcolmi |
C |
LC |
|
153.
|
Jungle
Babbler |
Turdoides straitus |
C |
LC |
|
154.
|
Indian
Bushlark |
Mirafra erythroptera |
FC |
Alaudidae |
LC |
155.
|
Oriental
Skylark |
Alauda gulgula |
C |
LC |
|
156.
|
Ashy-crowned
sparrow lark |
Eremopterix grisea |
FC |
Alaudidae |
LC |
157.
|
Purple
Sunbird |
Nectarinia asiatica |
C |
Nectariniidae |
LC |
158.
|
House
Sparrow |
Passer domesticus |
C |
Passeridae |
LC |
159.
|
Chestnut
Shouldered Petronia |
Petronia xanthocollis |
FC |
LC |
|
160.
|
White
Wagtail |
Motacilla personata |
C |
LC |
|
161.
|
Cristine
Wagtail |
Motacilla calcarata |
C |
LC |
|
162.
|
Yellow
Wagtail |
Motacilla thunbergi |
C |
LC |
|
163.
|
Grey
Wagtail |
Motacilla cinerea |
FC |
LC |
|
164.
|
Paddy
field Pipit |
Anthus rufulus |
C |
LC |
|
165.
|
Olive-backed
Pipit |
Anthus hodgsoni |
FC |
LC |
|
166.
|
Baya
Weaver |
Ploceus philippinus |
C |
LC |
|
167.
|
Black-breasted
weaver |
Ploceus benghalensis |
FC |
LC |
|
168.
|
Red
Avadavat |
Amandava amandava |
FC |
LC |
|
169.
|
Indian
Silverbill |
Lonchura malabarica |
C |
LC |
|
170.
|
Scaly
Breasted Munia |
Lonchura punctulata |
FC |
LC |
C-Common;
FC-Fairly Common; UC-Uncommon; NA-Not Assessed; LC-Least Concern; NT-Near
Threatened; V-Vulnerable; E-Endangered
Fig. 2: Total of 170 bird species
belonging to 48 families
Amongst the 170 species, 11 were Uncommon, 64 were
fairly common and rest 95 species were common (Fig. 5a-o), i.e only 6% of the
birds were uncommon (Fig. 3). Least concerned category included 158 bird
species (Fig. 4). According to the IUCN status 1 was Endangered, 8 near
Threatened, 1 Vulnerable. For 2 species, data was Not Available (Fig. 6a-f). The most common birds recorded
were crows, House sparrows, Parakeets, Yellow-footed green pigeons, lapwings,
munias, bulbuls, mynas and Baya weaver.
Fig.
4: IUCN Status of bird species
Fig. 5a-o: Some Uncommon
and Fairly common birds in Ambedkar Nagar
Fig. 6a-f: Some Endangered, Near
Threatened and Vulnerable species
The Indian National
bird “Peacock” and the State bird of Uttar Pradesh “Sarus Crane” were easily spotted
birds in almost all the tehsils of the district (Fig. 7a & b). Though the
Census for Sarus cranes undertaken in 2010 by Forest Department reported zero
data for Ambedkar Nagar [10], they were also seen nesting in the
small local village ponds and also in rice fields. Similarly, no vultures had
been reported in the district so far [11], but the Endangered
Egyptian Vultures were also sighted occasionally (Fig. 6c). The district had no
dense forest coverage and hilly terrain, therefore, the birds of rocky and
cliff habitats were not recorded during the study.
Fig. 7b: State bird of Uttar Pradesh
“Sarus Crane”
DISCUSSION-
Ambedkar Nagar, being an agricultural dominant area, the majority of birds
reported were those that inhabit an agricultural landscape. There is growing
interest in avian diversity in agricultural area [12-18]. Such
studies were useful in the management and conservation of useful bird species
and control of pest birds. Sarus cranes were mostly observed in the crop
fields, and only few pairs were seen in small unprotected local ponds. Due to
the deterioration and destruction of natural wetland habitats, Sarus cranes
were increasingly being forced into agricultural fields all over its
distribution range in India [19]. Most of the districts have at
least one or two locates that are important birding sites [20-22]; however no particular site was discovered that could
be identified as a birding spot in the district. The lakes such as Darvan,
Hanswar, Devhat had the potential to support rich avifaunal diversity
conversely they were under serious threats due to various anthropogenic
activities. Various anthropogenic activities like uses of pesticides and
insecticides in agriculture, deforestation, livestock grazing, hunting,
fishing, development of industries and urbanization, sound pollution are some
of the key threats to the avian diversity [23]. The majority of the
aquatic birds were migratory; various types of ducks visit the lakes at the
beginning of the winter. However, the numbers were low. The basic requirements
of migratory birds at their wintering ground are adequate food supply and
safety [24], which was not fulfilled by the water bodies in Ambedkar
Nagar.
Intensification
of agriculture and use of an excess of pesticides have severely affected the
faunal diversity of the wetlands [25,26]. The wetlands being
neglected by the local people and the concerned authorities may soon be lost
forever.
CONCLUSIONS- The
study reflects the potential of Ambedkar Nagar to support a rich diversity of
ornithofauna. Further studies based on the ecology of threatened and endangered
birds such as Egyptian Vultures, Sarus crane, Alexandrine Parakeet,
Woolly-necked stork and many more species are needed. As for the conservation
of habitat, the extremely low forest cover and
anthropogenic activities around the wetlands are serious problems that need
immediate concern and elucidation.
The district demands regular monitoring and reporting of
incidences related to birds. There is a need to reduce anthropogenic mortality
of birds or to educate the public to support for and to implement remedial
measures. The organization of bird watching events on various occasions such as
World Wetlands Day, International Day for Biological Diversity and World
Wildlife Week will draw the intention and interest of local people and youth.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT- The
authors are thankful to the volunteers and local people for their kind support
and cooperation during this much-needed study.
CONTRIBUTION
OF AUTHORS
Research
concept- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Research design- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Supervision- Dr. Sonika Kushwaha
Materials- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Data collection- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Data analysis and Interpretation- Dr. Sonika Kushwaha
Literature search- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Writing article- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
Critical review- Dr. Sonika Kushwaha
Article editing- Dr. Sonika Kushwaha
Final approval- Dr. Akhilesh Kumar
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