ABSTRACT- Butea monosperma is a moderate sized deciduous tree, which is widely distributed throughout India, Burma and Ceylon, popularly known as 'dhak' or 'palash', commonly known as ‘Flame of forest’. Bearing many qualities it is rightly selected as the State Flower of Uttar Pradesh as well as Jharkhand. The study was undertaken during January 2015-2017 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. For this study 15 sites were selected in Jhansi area. Observations were done from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 7 pm. Direct observations were made using Bushnell Falcon 10x50 mm Binocular. The study was supported with photographs taken by 7 D Canon SLR Camera. Observations indicated that the bird species were attracted towards the flowers of Palash. The birds were also used the trees of nesting and roosting. A total of 70 bird species belonging to 27 families were associated with Palash either for feeding, nesting or roosting. The maximum species (12) belonged to family Corvidae followed by Sturnidae (6), Columbidae (5), Musciapidae (5) and Sylviindae (5). It was concluded that the State flower of Uttar Pradesh is obligatory for the local bird community. Initiatives have been taken to create awareness amongst the local people with the help of press media. The conservation of the existing plant species and the plantation of more trees particularly in educational institutes are important. Butea monosperma is very dry resistant and helps in controlling soil erosion. Therefore planting and managing the tree will be beneficial for local farmers also.
Key-words-Palash, Bird species, Conservation, Butea monosperma

INTRODUCTION
India has a total area of about 3,029 million hectare; with this it is considered to be one of the 12 mega bio-diversity centers. It has origins and diversity of several plant species in the world [1]. Plants have deeply influ-enced the ethnicity and civilization of man in many countries, including India. These links can be traced from the prehistoric times in an almost uninterrupted line. Many flowers, fruits or complete plants are them-selves worshipped or considered sacred [2]. The Palash tree is considered sacred by both the Hindus and the Buddhists [3]. Butea monosperma is a moderate sized deciduous tree which is widely distributed throughout India, Burma and Ceylon, popularly known as 'dhak' or 'palash', commonly known as ‘Flame of forest’.
Palash is a medium sized dry season deciduous tree, growing to 15m tall. It finds use both medicinally and commercially with each part of the plant having utility. This plant species has been found to display a wide variety of biological activities. Literature shows tremendous scope for the use of plant Butea monosperma as an alternative therapy in the treatment and prevention of various diseases and disorders. The plant contains various phytoconstituents like Glycosides, saponins, gums, mucilage and fatty acids and reducing sugars [4]. The flowers were reported to possess astringent, sweet cooling, constipating, aphrodiasiac, haemostatic, diuret-ic, febrifuge and tonic. They are useful in vitiated conditions of pitta and kapha, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia, fever, leprosy, skin diseases, swelling, hyperdispesia, arthritis, burning sensation, bone fracture [5]. It is used for timber, resin, fodder, medicine, and dye. The wood is dirty white and soft and, being durable underwater, is used for well curbs and water scoops. Good charcoal can be made from it so bearing so many qualities it is rightly selected as the State Flower of Uttar Pradesh as well as Jharkhand, India. The leaves are usually very leathery and not eaten by cattle
During the winters, the leafless tree flowers abundantly and is very conspicuous in the forest. Birds are the chief pollinators. The large and bright orange-red coloured flowers show characteristics of bird pollination with bountiful amounts of nectar, and exhibiting diurnal anthesis [7].

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area- The study was undertaken during January 2015 to March 2017 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Jhansi is situated between the rivers Pahuj and Betwa between North longitudes 24°11´ and 25°57´and East latitudes 78°10´and 79°25´. It has an average elevation of 284 metres (935 feet). Jhansi district is rocky with undulating topology; a lower proportion of its Total Geographical Area is under agriculture i.e 70%. Approximately 7% of the area is under forest, a bulk of which is degraded forest. The district also has a lower proportion of wastelands (16.95% hectare) being classified as “land with scrubs” [8]. The average annual rainfall is 850.1 mm. The climate is sub-humid and it is characterized by a hot dry summer and cold winter.

Fig 1: Map of study area (Source: Google Earth)

Methodology- For the study 15 sites were selected in Jhansi. From February to April observations were done from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 7 pm. Direct observations were made using Bushnell Falcon 10x50 mm Binocular. The study was supported with photographs taken by 7 D Canon SLR Camera. The birds were identified using standard field guide books [9-11].

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Observations indicated that the bird species were attracted towards the flowers of Palash tree. They fed on nectar from open keel and foraged on the flowers. The birds were also used the trees for nesting and roosting purposes. A total of 70 bird species belonging to 27 families (Table 1) were associated with Palash either for feeding, nesting or roosting (Fig. 2a-2t). The maximum species (12) belonged to family Corvidae followed by Sturnidae (6), Columbidae (5), Musciapidae (5) and Sylviindae (5).

Table 1: List of Birds associated with Palash

S. No.	Common Name	Zoological Name	Local name	Family	R/M	AC	IUCN Status
1.	Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	Chhota Kilkila	Alcedinidae (1)	R	FC	LC
2.	White breasted Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	Kilkila	Halcyonidae (1)	R	C	LC
3.	Green bee-eater	Merops orientalis		Meropidae (1)	R	C	LC
4.	Painted Stork	Mycteria leucocephala	Janghil/Dokh	Ciconiidae	R	C	NT
5.	Asian Open bill-Stork	Anastomus oscitans	Ghungil		R	FC	LC
6.	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	Surkhia bagla	Ardeidae (3)	R	C	LC
7.	Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea	Lal anjan		R	C	LC
8.	Indian Pond Heron	Ardeola grayii	Andha bagla		R	C	LC
9.	Lesser Golden- backed Woodpecker	Dinopium benghalense	Kathfudwa	Picidae (1)	R	C	LC
10.	Brown-headed Barbet	Megalaima zeylanica	Bada basanta	Megalaimidae (2)	R	FC	NA
11.	Coppersmith Barbet	Megalaima haemacephala	Chota basanta		R	C	LC
12.	Indian Grey Hornbill	Ocyceros birostris	Dhanesh	Bucerotidae (1)	R	FC	LC
13.	Common Hoopoe	Upupa epops	Hudhud	Upupidae (1)	R	C	LC
14.	Indian Roller	Coracias benghalensis	Neelkanth	Coraciidae (1)	R	C	LC
15.	Pied Cuckoo	Clamator jacobinus	Kala Papiya	Cuculidae (3)	R		LC
16.	Common Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx varius	Papiya		R	FC	LC
17.	Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopacea	Koel		R	C	LC
18.	Greater Coucal	Centropus sinensis	Mahoka	Centropodidae (1)	R	C	LC
19.	Rose-ringed Parakeet	Psittacula krameri	Tota	Psittacidae (2)	R	C	LC
20.	Plum-headed Parakeet	Psittacula cyanocephala	Tuiya tota		R	FC	LC
21.	Laughing dove	Streptopelia senegalensis	Streptopelia senegalensis	Columbidae (5)	R	C	LC
22.	Red collared dove	Streptopelia tranquebarica	Lali pohu		R	FC	LC
23.	Spotted dove	Streptopelia chinensis	Chitroka fakhta		R	C	LC
24.	Eurasian collared dove	Streptopelia decaocto	Panduk		R	C	LC
25.	Yellow- footed Green- Pigeon	Treron phoenicoptera	Harilal		R	C	LC
26.	Shikra	Accipiter badius	Chipka	Accipitridae (1)	R	C	LC
27.	Spotted owlet	Athene brama	Chughad	Strigidae (2)	R	C	LC
28.	Jungle owlet	Glaucidium radiatum	Jangali Chughad		R	C	LC
29.	Rufous –backed Shrike	Lanius schach	Kajala latora	Laniidae (2)	R	C	LC
30.	Bay-backed Shrike	Lanius vittatus	***		RC	FC	LC
31.	Indian Treepie	Dendrocitta vagabunda	Mahalat		R	C	LC
32.	Eurasian Golden Oriole	Oriolus oriolus	Peelak			C	LC
33.	Black- headed Oriole	Oriolus xanthornus	***		R	FC	LC
34.	House Crow	Corvus splendens	Kowwa	Corvidae (12)	R	C	LC
35.	Jungle Crow	Corvus macrorhynchos	Kala kowwa		R	C	LC
36.	Small minivet	Pericrocotus cinnamomeus	Saheli		R	C	LC
37.	White- browed fantail	Rhipidura aureola	***		R	FC	LC
38.	Black drongo	Dicrurus macrocerus	Bhujanga		R	C	LC
39.	Ashy Drongo	Dicrurus leucophaeus	Bhujanga		M	FC	LC
40.	Common Iora	Aegithina tiphia	Shaubeegi		R	FC	LC
41.	Common Woodshrike	Tephrodornis pondicerianus	Keroula		R	FC	LC
42.	Asian Paradise-Flycatcher	Terpsiphone paradisi			R	FC	LC
43.	Oriental Magpie-Robin	Copsychus saularis	Dhaiyar	Musciapidae (5)	R	C	LC
44.	Indian Robin	Saxicoloides fulicata	Kalchuri		R	C	LC
45.	Black Redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros	Thirthira		M	FC	LC
46.	Pied Bushchat	Saxicola caprata	***		R	C	LC
47.	Indian Chat	Cercomela fusca	Dauma		R	FC	LC
48.	Brahminy Starling	Sturnus pagodarum	Brahmini myna	Sturnidae (6)	R	C	LC
49.	Rosy Starling	Sturnus roseus	Gulabi myna		M	FC	LC
50.	Asian Pied Starling	Sturnus contra	Ablak myna		R	C	LC
51.	Chest-nut tailed Starling	Sturnus malabarica	Pawai			UC	LC
52.	Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis	Desi myna		R	C	NA
53.	Bank myna	Acridotheres ginginianus	Ganga myna		R	C	LC
54.	Great Tit	Great Tit	Ramgangra	Paridae (1)	R	FC	LC
55.	Red-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer	Bulbul	Pycnonotidae (1)	R	C	LC
56.	Ashy Prinia	Prinia socialis	Kali phutki	Cisticolidae (3)	R	C	LC
57.	Jungle Prinia	Prinia sylvatica	Tot-rungi		R	FC	LC
58.	Plain Prinia	Prinia inornata	Phutki		R	C	LC
59.	Oriental White-eye	Zosterops palpebrosos	Baboona	Zosteropidae (1)	R	C	LC
60.	Common Tailorbird	Orthotomus sutorius	Darzee	Sylviindae (6)	R	C	LC
61.	Yellow- eyed Babbler	Chrysomma sinense	Gulab-chasm		R	C	LC
62.	Common Babbler	Turdoides caudatus	Genga/dumri		R	FC	LC
63.	Jungle Babbler	Turdoides striatus	Sat bhaina		R	C	LC
64.	Large Grey Babbler	Turdoides malcolmi	Sat bhaina		R	C	LC
65.	Lesser whitethroat	Sylvia curruca	Chia		M	C	LC
66.	Purple Sunbird	Nectarinia asiatica	Phul soohgni	Nectariniidae (1)	R	C	LC
67.	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus	Gauriya	Passerinae (4)	R	C	LC
68.	Chestnut-shouldered Petronia	Petronia xanthocollis	Jangli chiria		R	FC	LC
69.	Baya Weaver	Ploceus philippinus	Baya/son chiri		R	C	LC
70.	Indian Silverbill	Lonchura malabarica	Charga		R	C	LC

R-residential; C-common; FC-fairly common; UC-Uncommon; LC-Least concern; NT-Near Threatened








Fig 2: i- xxxxii: Bird species associated with Palash (Butea monosperma)


The birds fed not only on nectar but foraged on bees, butterflies and other insects that were attracted to the bright fresh flowers of Palash. According to a study, Dapke et al., Butea monsperma plant was found to be requisite for local and migratory bird in Nagpur city. Possibly it provided immunological support and reduced oxidative stress produced due to various physiological activities [12]. Oxidative flavonoids are found in Butea monsperma flowers. Flavonoids in food are important for birds as they act as antioxidants and restore intracelloar immunity [13]. Birds such as cattle egrets and herons utilized the palash trees for roosting while Baya weaver, owlets and Lapwings were seen nesting (Fig. s3a & b). It was concluded that the State flower of Uttar Pradesh is obligatory for the local bird community. Initiatives have been taken to create awareness amongst the local people with the help of press media. The conservation of the existing plant species and the plantation of more trees particularly in educational institutes are important. This will be beneficial in promoting the State Flower as well as the students will learn about the avian diversity supported by a single tree. Butea monosperma is very dry resistant tree and helps in controlling soil erosion. Therefore planting and managing the tree will be beneficial for local farmers also.

CONCLUSIONS
This study was concluded that biological interactions are a central aspect of the biological diversity. It has no much sense to study a single species without taking into account the rest of the species occurring in that habitat and how they interact. The overall goal of the study associated with Palash tree is to enhance biodiversity and the abundance of avian species. This is especially important in the selected study areas with frequent droughts. Such regions are often particularly intended to enhance the abundance of pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds, through the provision of food resources, for example nectar-rich flowers of Palash. Such pollinators and pest predators are important in the context of agricultural production. Birds can also benefit from high insect numbers attracted to Butea monosperma as they are good food resource for birds. The plantation and management of Butea monosperma will be beneficial for the birds, invertebrates and the local farmers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We highly appreciate the co-operation of Forest Officials of Jhansi district during the survey work. Special thanks to all the volunteers without whom the field exercise would not have been easy.

REFERENCES

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    How to cite this article: Kushwaha S, Kumar D, Kumar A: Avifauna Associated with Palash (Butea monosperma), the State Flower of Uttar Pradesh,India . Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., 2017; 3(4):1118-1126. DOI:10.21276/ijlssr.2017.3.4.3 Source of Financial Support: Nil, Conflict of interest: Nil