Biodiversity Report 2018 -2019
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Shivaji University Campus Biodiversity Report 2018 -2019 Prepared by DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, SHIVAJI UNIVERSITY, KOLHAPUR ©Registrar, Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Maharashtra) All rights reserved. No part of this work be reproduced in any form by mimeograph or any other means without permission in writing from Shivaji University, Kolhapur (Maharashtra). ISBN: 978-93-85190-14-8 Published by: Prof. (Dr.) Vilas D. Nandavadekar Registrar, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. Phone: (0) 0231-2609063 (R) 0231-2609059 (M) +91-9421918134 Email: [email protected] Prof. (Dr.) R. K. Kamat Photo credits: Co-ordinator, Prof. (Dr.) P. D. Raut, Amol Chougule, Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Chetan Bhosale, Amit Mane. Shivaji University, Printed by: Kolhapur- 416 004. Shivaji University Press, (Maharashtra), India. Kolhapur-416 004. Phone: (O) 0231-2609087 Email: [email protected] Dedicated to Late Dr. (Ms.) Nilisha P. Desai Chief Editor Prof. (Dr.) Prakash D. Raut Editorial Team Dr. (Mrs.)Aasawari S. Jadhav Dr. Pallavi R. Bhosale Ms. Nirmala B. Pokharnikar Ms. Aarti A. Parit Ms. Priya R. Vasagadekar Ms. Sonal G. Chonde Ms. Sanjivani T. Chougale Mr. Amol A. Chougule Mr. Chetan S. Bhosale Field Team Ms. Nirmala Pokharnikar Ms. Aarti A. Parit Ms. Priya Vasagadekar Mr. Amol A. Chougule Ms. Sanjivani T. Chougale Mr. Amit R. Mane Mr. Chetan S. Bhosale Mr. Ajay V. Gaud Mr. Harshad V. Suryawanshi Prepared by: Department of Environmental Science, Shivaji University, Kolhapur. ISBN: 978-93-85190-14-8 EDITORIAL .... It is a proud moment for me to put forward the ‘Biodiversity Report 2018 - 2019’ of Shivaji University, Kolhapur. The richness of any area is measured by its species diversity. Shivaji University campus is blessed to have a biodiversity rich campus which includes variety of habitats like grassland, woodland, gardens, wetland and open land. The habitat gives support to diverse ecosystems providing nesting and roosting sites for birds, mammals, reptiles, insects and butterflies. The migrated peacocks from the surrounding areas have become residents of the campus. Some migratory aquatic birds like Painted Stork have become residents on the lakes of the campus. The report has been prepared initially by Late Dr. (Ms.) Nilisha P. Desai, a faculty of Department of Environmental Science and by the students and the staff of the Department of Environmental Science, Botany and Zoology by following standard methods and protocols followed internationally to prepare lists of plants and animals. The report gives lists of important birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and some major tree species on the campus. The detailed floral list of plants is available with Botany Department as ‘Flora of ‘Lead Botanical Garden’ of Shivaji University. Though, the report gives substantial list of flora and fauna, the list of insects, other invertebrates and minor plants is to be included in the next attempt. I must thank all my Faculty, Research Scholars and M.Sc. students of the Department of Environmental Science, Botany and Zoology for contributing to prepare this report in the form of field work, photo documentation and write-up. Dr. P.D. Raut Professor and Head Department of Environmental Science, Shivaji University, Kolhapur Introduction: Shivaji University was established on 18th November 1962 to make opportunities of higher education accessible to rural youth, conducting fundamental and applied research in the field of science and humidifies to ensure regional growth and development. It is provided with the administrative building, examination building, various P.G. faculty department, library, study centre , ladies as well as boys hostel , common facility centre (CFC) aided with variety of instrument , gymnasium, sports ground , many more facilities for students . Since year 1962 to provide infrastructure there is rapid growth of buildings on the campus. Shivaji University is located at 160 40’ N latitude and 740 15’ E longitudes on the southern side of the Kolhapur city at the altitude 587.6msl. University campus covers about 853 acres area. Earlier this hilly area of the city was used for farming. Large part of the campus was under grass and routinely used for the cattle grazing. After establishment of the university these routine land-use practices were changed. Infrastructure carries three tanks on its campus. University campus itself provides origin of various fresh water streams. Which pass through the city towards the river Panchganga. As campus is having good green patch. People from the city identify the university as one of the good healthy and wilderness area in the city. Due to which number of local people come to the campus for morning as well as evening walk. Research scholars and Students from Department of Environmental Science, Botany and Zoology, Shivaji University have carried out seasonal study in rainy, winter and summer season biodiversity of the University campus for generating data and found some interesting observations. University campus is broadly classified into different sectors depending up on diverse habitats in the campus like grassland, woodland, gardens, wetlands and open land. Table No.-1 distribution of habitat wise in the Shivaji University, campus: Sr. No. Habitat Area Area (Acres) 1 Grassland Large part is covered with grassland 325 2 Woodland Babhul ban plantation at backside of ladies hostel, plantation in front of Humanities 280 building, plantation by guest house 3 Gardens M.B. garden, gardens in front of various departments. 25 4 Wetlands Rajaram tank, Bhasha Bhavan tank, Dramatics and Music dept tank 65 5 Open land 150 The University campus is divided into four major habitats grassland, woodland, garden, and water-bodies. Theses varying habitats give rise to diverse ecosystems providing nesting and roosting site for birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, butterflies. Especially this area has become good habitat for the peacocks. Some of the areas act like ecotonal areas. This includes all the three water bodies on the campus and their surroundings. Campus is having three tanks. They are Rajaram tank on the other side of old high way, tank near Bhashabhavan and newly build tank near Dramatics and Music Department. These lakes are enriching the biodiversity. Earlier study of Rajaram tank shows appearance of variety of fishes in tank. These tanks provide habitats for various birds. Various water birds are observed in the water bodies. The water bodies are also attracting different migratory birds. Some marshy land is about to develop near the new tank. University is situated on the hilly region of the Kolhapur city acts as the origin site for various fresh water streams, which flow through the city. University campus is one of the largest wilderness areas in the city. Goggle Earth Image, Shivaji University Campus Habitats Grassland: Prior to establishment of university, large part was covered with the grass. Now grassland contributes about 235 acres of total area. This area provides shelter and food to the number of insects, small birds, reptiles, rodents and mammals. Numbers of carnivorous animals get their food from the grassland. Woodland: Large part is covered with woodland. It covers 280 acres of total area. This also includes the plantation by university. Woodland nearby Bhashabhavan tank is known as babul ban. Plantation is there at backside of ladies hostel, guesthouse and in front of humanities building. Behind Shahu research center and education department, there is woodland patch. This woodland provides nesting and roosting site for variety of biota. Gardens: Gardens contribute about 25 acres area. Ornamental gardens are developed in front of building of the university, at various departments, guesthouse. Variety of butterfly, birds, reptiles, mammals are commonly observed here. Wetlands: Campus is having three tanks. They are Rajaram tank on the other side of High way, Bhashabhavan tank and newly built music and dramatics tank department. These lakes are enriching the biodiversity. The Total land under water is 65 Acres. Rajaram Tank: Rajaram tank covers about 56.81 acres area. This tank was constructed in 1923 by Chatrapati Shahu Mahjaraj for the purpose of irrigation and city water supply. Earlier study of Rajaram tank shows Presence of Variety of fishes in Tank. This tank provides habitat for various birds. Various water birds are observed in the water bodies. The water bodies are also attracting various migratory birds. Language Department tank-: This tank covers about 4.91 acres area. It was built in 2001 by Shivaji University. This tank has become habitat for various water birds. It also attracts some of the migratory species. Nearby this tank marshy area is developed, which acts ecotone. Musical Dramatics Department tank: This tank is constructed in 2006 by Shivaji University. It covers about 3.45 acres of total area. This Newly developed water tank is attracting various birds as well as animals. Marshy land is about to develop at this new tank. This tank is developing a rich diversity in this area. Sr. No Water-body Area under Water (Acres) 1 Rajaram Tank 56.81 2 Tank behind Language Department 4.91 3 Tank in nearby Dramatics Department 3.45 “The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man”. -Charles Darwin Habitats Grasslands Woodlands Chancellors coconut garden Main building garden Wetlands Pazar Talav Pazar Talav Language Department tank Music and Dramatics Department tank Concerns: During Environmental survey of the university Campus with special reference to biodiversity following potential threats for biodiversity are observed. Due to lack of identification of biodiversity potential areas as well as lack of planning habitats are getting destructed. Traffic: 1. In the Campus area number of people regularly visits to main garden of university for morning as well as evening walk. 2. Some of the visitors go to the remote areas such as catchment of water bodies on the campus. Visitors as well as university emploee come with their vehicles. Hence, the number of daily visiting vehicles is more. Due to these vehicles noise and air pollution is taking place.