P. Kumar andOur S.K. Nature Gupta (2009)/ Our Nature 7:212-217 (2009) 7: 187-192 Diversity and Abundance of Wetland Birds around Kurukshetra, India P. Kumar* and S.K. Gupta Department of Zoology, University College, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra- 136119, Haryana, India *E-mail: [email protected] Received: 27.04.2009, Accepted: 15.10.2009 Abstract Kurukshrtra is a place of great historical and religious importance in India and is dotted with a number of holy water bodies and ponds. These wetlands support a rich avian diversity and serve as winter sojourn. A total of 54 species of wetland birds belonging to 36 genera and 15 families distributed in 5 orders have been recorded around Kurukshrtra .These wetlands are under pressure from diverse anthropogenic activities. This paper provides an overview of status of wetland birds and threats to them in the study area. Key words : Wetland birds, diversity, abundance, Kurukshetra Introduction Wetlands are defined as lands transitional Verma et al ., 2004; Reginald et al ., 2007). between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems Water birds have long attracted the attention where the water table is usually at or near of the public and scientists because of their the surface or the land is covered by shallow beauty, abundance, visibility and social water (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1986). behavior, as well as for their recreational Wetlands are among the most productive and economic importance. Recently, water ecosystems in the world and play vital role birds have become of interest as indicators in flood control, aquifer recharge, nutrient of wetland quality and as parameters of absorption and erosion control. In addition, restoration success and regional wetlands provide home for a huge diversity biodiversity. of wildlife such as birds, mammals, fish, Kurukshrtra is a place of great historical frogs, insects and plants (Buckton, and religious importance in India and is 2007).Thus wetlands help in maintaining situated 160 km north of Delhi on National biodiversity of flora and fauna. Wetlands in Highway1. It is dotted with a number of India cover an area of 58.2 million hectares holy water bodies and ponds. Brahma (Prasad et al ., 2002). Of 1340 bird species Sarovar is a vast man made holy water tank, found in India (Ali and Ripley, 1987; located in the heart of the city. The eastern Manakandan and Pittie, 2001), 310 species section of the tank is 1800 ft long and 1500 are known to be dependent on wetlands ft wide while the western section is a square (Kumar et al ., 2005). Wetlands in India, as of 1500 ft in length and 1500 ft in breadth. elsewhere, are facing tremendous The tank is 15 ft deep. This large water anthropogenic pressures (Prasad et al ., body is edged with 20 ft wide platforms. To 2002), which can greatly influence the add scenic beauty the Sarovar is decorated structure of bird community (Kler, 2002; on the periphery with lush green lawns, 212215 P. Kumar and S.K. Gupta / Our Nature (2009) 7: 187-192 floral beds and huge trees with thick and area. Birds were mostly observed during the dense canopy, which serve as roosting and most active period of the day, i.e., from 600 nesting sites for birds. Another important to 1000 hr and from 1600 to 1800 hr. wetland in the fringe of Kurukshetra city is However, observations were also made Bhor Sainda Crocodile Sanctuary located at during other timings according to a distance of 16 km on Kurukshetra- convenience. Observations were carried out Pehowa road. It was gazetted as crocodile with the aid of 7×35 and 10×50 Nikon sanctuary by the Govt. of Haryana in binoculars. Birds seen were recorded along 1982.The sanctuary provides a good habitat with habitat type, season and frequency of for avifauna in the form of water body with occurrence. Identification of birds was done marshy plant growth, terrestrial platforms using field guides (Ali and Ripley, 1987; and a central earth mound having scattered Grimmet et al. , 1999) and only those trees and bushy vegetation. National Fish species with confirmed identity are reported breeding Centre at Jyotisar is also an in this paper. The checklist was prepared important aquatic habitat at a distance of 7 using standardized common and scientific km from Kurukshetra. The cultivated lands names of the birds following Manakadan around Kurukshetra have paddy and wheat and Pittie (2001). Abundance of the as main crops. With their capacity to recorded bird was established upon the support different aquatic life forms paddy following criteria: Common- recorded 9-10 fields provide suitable habitat type for times out of 10 visits, fairly common- wetland birds. Village ponds which recorded 6 -8 times out of 10 visits, profusely dot the landscape around uncommon- recorded 3 -5 times out of 10 Kurukshetra perform many ecological and visits, rare- recorded 0 -2 times out of 10 socio-economic functions. These wetlands visits. are used for nesting, feeding, breeding and wintering grounds by different species of Results and discussion both local as well as migratory birds. A total of 54 species of wetland birds Keeping this in view, a survey of wetland belonging to36 genera and 15 families birds was carried out in different wetlands distributed in 5 orders have been recorded around Kurukshetra from January 2004 to from the study area. Details such as December 2008. common and scientific names, status and abundance of the wetland birds are Materials and methods presented in Table 1. Cicconiformes The study was carried out in six wetland appeared to be the most crowded order habitats namely Brahma Sarovar, Bohar represented by 7 families. Of all, family Saidan Crocodile Sauntary, National Fish Anatidae dominated the list with 11 species. Breeding Centre, Jyotisar, paddy fields and It represented 20.37% of the total number of village ponds situated around Kurukshetra water bird species surviving under wetland (30°N, 76.45°E). Observations were made conditions of Kurukshetra (Table 2). Out of over a period of four years i.e. during total 54 species, 29 were resident and 25 January, 2004 to December, 2008. Regular were migrant species. Most of the migratory surveys were done by systematically species were winter visitors except Cotton walking on fixed routes through the study Teal and Lesser Whistling Duck which were 213215 P. Kumar and S.K. Gupta / Our Nature (2009) 7: 187-192 summer visitors. Based on the frequency of Threats and conservation sightings, Northern Shoveller ( Anas The wetland avian diversity of Kurukshetra clypeata ), Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta), could be due to the presence of a mosaic of White-Breasted Kingfisher ( Halcyon different types of wetland habitats .But this smyrnensis ),White-Breasted Water Hen heritage is today threatened by the increased (Amaurornis phoenicurus ), Common human interference, direct and indirect, Moorhen ( Gallinula chloropus ), Black- resulting in habitat destruction and Winged Stilt ( Himantopus himantopus ), fragmentation. Study has also revealed that Red-Wattled Lapwing ( Vanellus indicus ), anthropogenic activities like mass bathing in Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) and Indian holy ponds, cutting of emergent and fringed Pond-Heron ( Ardeola grayii ) were the vegetation, draining of water, release of common species inhabiting these ponds/ sewage, throwing of domestic garbage, water bodies, while Purple Heron ( Ardea weeds, developmental activities like purpurea ) and Lesser Pied Kingfisher construction of roads and retaining walls are (Ceryle rudis ) were rarely sighted. These some major threats to the bird diversities of water birds were found to utilize different these aquatic habitats. Water Hyacinth wetland habitats extensively for foraging, (Eichhornia crassipes ) has rapidly covered nesting and roosting on the emergent and the water surface in village ponds and fringed vegetation. Water birds, being crocodile sanctuary reducing the feeding generally at or near the top of most wetland areas for water birds. Local community has food chains are highly susceptible to habitat periodically removed the water hyacinth disturbances and are therefore good manually from these water bodies. But the indicators of general condition of aquatic extracted Water Hyacinth has been habitats (Kushlan, 1992; Jayson and deposited at the banks of these water bodies Mathew, 2002; Kler, 2002).The rich and it again flows back to the water bodies diversity of the wetland birds documented in the rainy season resulting in choking of during the present study may be because of these wetlands. Thus proper scientific availability of varied sources of feed as well methodology is required for upkeep of these as foraging. The wetland birds are in general water bodies. being heterogeneous in their feeding habits Water birds require a cluster of platforms (Ali and Ripley, 1987). Thus wetland birds within the water bodies in order to sit there exploit a variety of habitats and depend for basking during the winters. There are no upon a mosaic of microhabitats for their platforms available within the village ponds survival. Paddy fields with stray trees and observed during present study. Hence the scattered vegetation cover might have suitable measures should be taken, to ensure extended comfortable shelter and suitable that artificial platforms are made available foraging grounds for the wetland birds. This within the ponds with thick cover of habitat by supporting different food sources vegetation. It is also recommended that like fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, water profuse green