J. Exp. Zool. India Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 475-477, 2011 ISSN 0972-0030

AFTER HOUSE SPARROWS’ DEPLETION NOW IT IS THE TURN OF RED VENTED IN HARYANA AND PUNJAB

Rohtash Chand Gupta*, Prem Kumari Gupta and Tirshem Kumar Kaushik Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra- 136 119, India Presently:-Senior Visiting Faculty, Institute of Environment Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana) e mail:[email protected] ; [email protected] (Accepted 26 April 2011)

ABSTRACT – In Haryana and Punjab, commonly available Bulbul is Red-vented Bulbul Pyconotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766). The other found in the Indian subcontinent include Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnotus priocephalus, Black-headed Bulbul Pyconotus atriceps, Black-crested Bulbul Pyconotus melanicterus, Red-whiskered Bulbul Pyconotus jacosus, White-eared Bulbul Pyconotus leucotis, Himalayan Bulbul Pyconotus leucogenys, Yellow-throated Bulbul Pyconotus xantholaemus, Yellow eared Bulbul Pyconotus penicillatus, Blyth’s Bulbul Pyconotus flavescens, White-browed Bulbul Pyconotus luteolus, White throated Bulbul Pyconotus flaveolus, virescens, Yellow-browed Bulbul Iole indica, Brown eared Bulbul flavala, Rufous-bellied Bulbul mcclellandii, Hypsipetes leucocephalas, Hypsipetes nicobariensis amongst others. In the present endeavour observations refer to the threat that are confronted by Red- vented Bulbul in Haryana and Punjab states of India. Results indicate that Red-vented Bulbuls are experiencing considerable reductions in their abundance. The depletions are, the present studies indicate, are related with its Nesting Site’s destruction undeliberately by humans. To make things explicit in this very crucial and worrisome issue, it is the destruction of ejecting bushy umbrellas of low size trees of Kikar (Acacia arabica) in the outskirts of villages and towns. In addition, undeliberate neglect of fashionable umbrella like trimmed bushes in gardens, colleges/university campuses. Also, total uprooting of trees, bushes in the inside premises of human inhabitation. All these, amongst other reasons, have taken a toll of red-vented Bulbul in the last 10 years in particular. Infact, bulbul are accustomed to building Half Cut coconut balls like nests hidden in a crafty manner by branches/leaves of Acasia arabica, fashionable bushy structures of “VINES” in gardens, Kitchen gardens, house for-courts/back yards etc. Moreover, Bulbul is adapted to time and breed nearby/inside human inhabitations and many-a-times on the outskirts of villages, towns and cities. The activities of human beings have resulted into the destruction of bushes, trees, vine etc. As such, the failure of accomplishing nest building is consequential to destruction of Bulbul populations. To recover its recently lost abundant ambience, it is argued that bushy plants be implanted in villages by Panchayats, in towns by Municipal committees and in Metropolitan cities hedges be erected in each and every villa. These measures are likely to restore and rehabilitate populations of Red vented Bulbuls in Haryana and Punjab and elsewhere too in the entire country. The danger at present is looming large on Red-vented Bulbul. If its neglect is sustained for next 10 years merely, Red-vented Bulbul might be doomed just like common House sparrow. Key words : Bulbul, Threats, Nest Lodging, Acasia Arabica.

INTRODUCTION studied by several others(Neelakantan,1976; have been studied in India by British officers Vijayan,1975,1978; Jhonason,1989; Sharma, 2000; Kumar as well as royals in the pre-independence era. After 1947, and Bhatt, 2001; Mummigatti and Desai,2001; Universities have also focused attention on Birds. Kumar,2003,2004; Prajapati et al,2011).However, in the Kurukshetra University has done substantial work in the present endeavour attention has been focused on various recent times (Gupta and Bajaj, 1989, 1991a, 1991b, 1996; threats and consequential reduction trends in general Gupta and Bajaj, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000; Gupta and abundance. Kumar, 2009). All these scientists have focused attention MATERIALS AND METHODS on natural history aspects or winter visitor birds (Gupta Red vented Bulbul has been investigated by focusing et al, 2010; Gupta et al, 2009, 2010 a-c; Gupta and attention on the depleting trends that it is experiencing in Kaushik, 2010a-e; Gupta et al, 2010a-b, Gupta and Haryana and Punjab in the last 10 years. Haryana and Kaushik, 2011a-b). Red-vented Bulbul has specifically Punjab were constituents of British era Punjab province which was truncated in 1947 going into the formation of Presently:- Senior Visiting Faculty, Institute of Environment Pakistan. Quite interesting, the post independence Indian Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana) Punjab was further bisected into the present day Punjab 476 Rohtash Chand Gupt et al and Haryana in 1966. The instinctive hard working nature agriculture practices. These have resulted in large-scale of Sikh-Jat farmers and JATS of Haryana has resulted destruction of nest lodging sites of bulbuls. It is further into widespread clearing of forests, gardens, orchards, damaging, as reproductive output, is more or less, negative Panchayats land into agriculture land and low stature trees, and hence large scale depletions. Present studies indicate thus depleting the essential flora required for bulbul’s that pair formation is permanent but quite loose compared sustenance. Coupled with the green revolution and to close bondage as seen in pigeons, house sparrows and outsourcing of Punjabi youths to overshores has created Common Mynas. It is suggested that to reverse the money order economy resulting in the disappearance of depleting population trends in Bulbuls, Acasia arabica, traditional houses of muds and Pucca houses having a bushes, orchards, gardens, lawns, hedge and other low Veranda in the forecourt in the adopted Persian style. canopy trees be maintained to cope with the demand of This has further added to the difficulties of Bulbuls nest lodging in content of bulbuls. Let us wake up to the specially connected with the nest lodging and roosting. situation on time, lest bulbuls go the house sparrows way. The present studies relate to specially Kurukshetra The threats confronting bulbul are real. The rejuvenating environs and also to entire Haryana and Punjab on casual measures suggested herein are simple and straight visit w.e.f. 1986-2011. forward. The only thing required is that inspired citizens RESULTS AND DISCUSSION in towns, cities and villages, who can plant vines, maintain hedge, allow wild bushes to remain in place should show The present studies concern observations between real implantations of suggested flora to serve as nest 1986-2011. Observations were done largely in Haryana lodging sites for bulbuls. Thus, bulbuls will keep chirping and Punjab and specifically in Kurukshetra environs. and singing the early morning “Lory Songs”. Studies reveal that in general Bulbul populations have been depleted markedly. There were times (1986-1995) when ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS chirping of bulbuls in the early dawn time during Authors are grateful to the authorities of Kurukshetra “SURMAI-ANDHERA” Bulbuls would chirp in a humble University for providing sufficient inspired level to conduct way by hopping one tree to another. Big flocks of Bulbuls ordinary surveys but forecasting threats looming large on were never seen. 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