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2013 - 201912020 - 20211
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Subject: Zoology × Author: Sachin Kumar × End date: 2021 ×
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    Studies on avian diversity, biology and behaviour along Beas river conservation reserve
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2021) Sachin Kumar; Kler, Tejdeep Kaur
    River Beas was declared as conservation reserve in year 2017 under section 36A of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 but no study is available on the avian diversity along river. Therefore, present study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021along Beas conservation reserve to understand the avian diversity in various sub habitats present along the river by selecting three locations i.e. Location I (Talwara: In foot hills of Shiwaliks), Location II (Beas: near urban settlement) and Location III (Harike: near rural settlement). Each location was further divided as crop fields, riparian, shallow water, edge, island and river. Study revealed that river Beas provides shelter to 245 bird species where 228 species were recorded at Location I with 40 exclusive species, 126 at Location II and 202 at Location III with 13 exclusive species. Crop fields had avian diversity of 104 at Location I, 78 at Location II and 94 at Location III. Riparian zone of river harbours 143 at location I, 83 at location II and 117 at location III. Shallow water river zone had 110 at location I, 126 at location II and 58 at location III. During this study a total of 113 species were recorded to exploiting edge sub habitat and 85 species Island sub habitat for various activities while 126 in shallow water sub habitat of riverine system which shows that the edge and island habitats are equally important from avian conservation point of view. Both Island and edge habitat are made of relatively very small area as compare to overall river habitat zone therefore these sub habitats are easy to manage but need attention during conservation planning. Crop fields and riparian habitats support more single species roosters and single group roosters. Riverine habitats (Edge, Shallow water and Islands) supports more mix group roosters. A total of 527 nests were recorded during study period having 193 nests at Talwara, 115 at Beas and 219 at Harike. Nesting of birds was niche area specific where colony nesters were tree species specific including Baya weaver nesting was specific to Date Palm and Cattle Egret nesting was specific to Kikar. Riparian zone of Talwara was wide and had minimum anthropogenic activities therefore harbour maximum of 143 species in riparian zone while Harike had wide shallow water zone therefore maximum of 126 water dependent species as compare to other two locations. Location II had almost lowest values for all diversity indexes under study (Abundance, Richness, Shannon index, Simpson index) in comparison to Location I and III shows the effect of proximity of human habitation on avian diversity. Though the all six sub-habitats understudy were adjoining to each other still a clear distinction of niche area preference was recorded during study. The birds may enter the adjoin niche but overall abundance remains similar for preferred niche for each bird species. The study concludes that significant number of species recorded have specific niche area requirements that are completed by the river’s sub-habitats including feeding, foraging, roosting and nesting therefore conservation plans should be designed in such a way that whole area come under protection as a single unit while maintaining its sub habitat identity.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON THE HABITAT, FEEDING AND BREEDING BIOLOGY OF BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) IN AGROECOSYSTEM OF PUNJAB
    (Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2013) Sachin Kumar
    Agricultural land use is an important driver of biodiversity loss in developing countries. It was found that farming is the current and likely to be the future threat to globally threatened and near threatened bird species. The Black Kite (Milvus migrans) is a medium sized bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. The present study deals with habitat, feeding and breeding biology of Black Kite (Milvus migrans) in agroecosystem of Punjab. It was undertaken from December 2010 to May 2012 in 12 transects having different type of vegetation. Observations were taken in morning and evening twice a week regarding their habitat, feeding and breeding biology. It was found that Black Kite uses different types of areas for different activities like feeding, foraging, roosting and breeding. The number of territorial pairs of Black Kites increased steadily during this study but it was difficult to say whether this was caused by a real population increase or a simple population fluctuation. Most of the time, they were found in areas near human habitation. Feeding was maximally observed on garbage dumps. The other types of feeding materials were earthworms, rodents, reptiles, flesh and small birds. Flocking was also observed throughout the study periods but the size of flock varied in different areas. Nesting was mainly observed on Silver Oak followed Sapt Parni and Eucalyptus trees. The average nesting height was observed to be between 14.95 meters to 16.60 meters. The incubation period was between 30 to 35 days. The numbers of young ones varied from 1 to 3 with most of the nests having 2 young ones. In conclusion it was found that Black Kite feed on refuse garbage dumps, breeds on comparatively tall trees and plays an important role in cleaning the environment.