Studies on avian diversity, biology and behaviour along Beas river conservation reserve
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Date
2021
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
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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Citation
Sachin Kumar (2021). Studies on avian diversity, biology and behaviour along Beas river conservation reserve (Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.