avifaunal diversity of ‘samaguri beel’, nagaon district ...€¦ · beel located near nagaon...
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Avifaunal diversity of ‘Samaguri beel’, Nagaon district with special
reference to the ‘water-birds’
Chiranjib Bora1 , Queen Saikia2 , Suranjan Bhowal3
1 B.Sc. 3rd sem. Student of ADP College,Nagaon (Zoology Dept.)
2M.Sc. Gauhati University (Zoology Dept.)
3Associate professor of ADP College,Nagaon (Zoology Dept.)
Abstract:
The present study deals with the avian diversity with special reference to the water-birds of Samaguri
beel located near Nagaon town in Nagaon district of Assam. We surveyed the beel for a period of 1 and half
years starting from January 2016 to May 2017. Data were collected using line transect and point transect
method. A total of 30 species of water birds belonging to 13 families were identified. During the study we
found 2 near threatened species and 1 globally threatened species, 8 winter migrant and other 22 are
residential species. Of these 15 species are carnivorous, 10 species are omnivorous, 3 species are
insectivorous and 2 species are picivorous. The study also shows variation in the diversity of the water-birds.
It was also observed that the ongoing anthropogenic disturbances have greatly affected the Samaguri beel’s
once rich avian fauna. Therefore, keeping the above facts in mind the study was conducted to list the
important migratory or residential, threatened water bird species and the affects of habitat degradation on
the surviving water-bird species of the beel so that a long term conservative programmes can be adopted in
order to save both Samaguri beel and its rich avian fauna for our generation.
Introduction :
Wetlands are a part of vast aquatic ecosystem, that plays a vital role on biogeochemical cycle of the
entire earth which affect the composition of the atmosphere, the climate & the hydrological cycle. Wetlands
have great importance from a socio-economic, biological, ecological as well as aesthetic view point. Rightly
called as ‘Nature’s Kidney’ (James 1995). The wetlands are among the most important ecosystem on planet
earth. Wetlands are transitional or ecotonal zones between permanently aquatic & dry terrestrial ecosystems.
They provide habitat for flora and fauna in order to maintain biological and genetic diversity. There
are 3,500 wetlands in Assam , according to satellite data the wetlands are commonly known as ‘Beels’. They
act as ideal natural habitat for both migratory and residential bird species. The wetlands are also home to
hundreds of aquatic animal such as reptile, pisces, amphibians etc. It might be a better choice of these
wetlands to be converted into wildlife conservation, locations avian parks, birds sanctuaries and may be
centre promoting ecotourism.
The ‘Beels’ of Assam are generally considered as fish granary of the state. The physico-chemical
characteristics of water and soil of these ‘Beels’ are very favourable for fish & avian growth. There are many
avian species migrate to the wetlands and utilize the shallow nutrient rich water, particularly planktonic food
of the ‘Beels’ and fish of that particular beel. So, they act as both feeding and breeding ground for both
migratory as well as residential avian fauna.
Study area :
Samaguri beel lies towards the
north eastern side of the Nagaon District.
The Samaguri beel is located between 260
25/ N latitude and 920 51/ E longitude.
Samaguri beel one of the ox-bow shaped
wetland of Nagaon district. This wetland is
formed by the abandoned path of the
Kolong river during the course of time. It is
situated about 20 kms away from Nagaon
town. The area covered by the beel is 43.65
hectares according to Google earth image.
It is surrounded by Sonaribali and NH 37 in
the north, Gatanga in the east, Samaguri
Grant and Auniati satra in the south and
Baziagaon in the west direction. Still
Samaguri beel is connected with a small
stream which is locally known as ‘Ghatir
Ghulung’. Samaguri Beel is Popularly
known as ‘Pokhi Tirtha’ (Bird Pilgrimage).
Fig: Location of Samaguri Beel in map
Fig: Base Map of
Fig: Base map of Samaguri Beel.
Objectives :
1. To know about Samaguri Beel.
2. To identify the various water-bird species of Samaguri beel.
3. To know the current IUCN red list categories of the recorded water bird species.
Material and methods :
Field surveys were conducted for a period of one and half years starting from January 2016 to May
2017. Line and point transect methods were used for the survey.
All the surveys were carried out early in the morning i.e. first 3 hours after sun rise and in the evening
time. Opportunistic observations were also added to the list so, as not to miss any species during the survey
period. Guide books, google, Wikipedia were used for identification of birds. The common English names,
scientific name also the local names are given in the checklist. The current IUCN red list categories of the
birds given in the checklist . Digital camera (Nikon D5200) is used for taking the photographs of the birds, a
binocular is used for bird watching & GPS is also used for the satellite view of the Beel.
Results and discussions:
A total of 30 species of water-birds belonging to 13 families were identified during the study,
including 2 near threatened species , 1 globally threatened and others are least concerned , out of which 8
winter migrant and others are local water birds are seen. The globally threatened species is Lesser adjutant
stork .
Some available migratory water bird species are: Lesser whistling duck, Fulvous whistling duck,
Ferruginous pochard, Cotton pigmy goose, Cinnamon bittern, Grey headed Lapwing, Whiskered tarn etc.
Others which are local water birds are: White throated Kingfisher, Common Kingfisher, Grey headed Purple
Swamphen, Common Moorhen, White-Breasted Waterhen, Bronze Winged Jacana, Indian Pond Heron,
Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Osprey, Little Cormorant, Asian Open billed Stork, Oriental Darter etc.
As it has always been said that nothing is permanent in this earth, this stands true for the rich
biodiversity of the Samaguri Beel, where there had been seen more migratory avian species. But owning
various human activities, such as agricultural activities on the edge of the beel, construction activities in the
nearby area of the Samaguri beel etc, have greatly affected the habitats of the water birds and also the main
reason for the habitat destruction is the cutting of branches of the tree by the village people of that area. So,
some of the migratory birds such as Cotton pigmy goose, grey headed lapwing are found during early years
are not encountered in this year. Fulvous whistling duck, which were seen in large number in early years
were have reduced in their number, which is very unfortunate.
The study also show high diversity of water-birds at the undisturbed habitat compare to the
moderately disturbed habitat and disturbed habitats.
Photographs of recorded water-bird species during study period:
Common Kingfisher White-Throated Kingfisher
Lesser pied kingfisher Stork-billed kingfisher
Lesser Whistling duck Fulvous whistling duck
Ferruginus pochard Cotton pygmy goose
Grey headed purple swamphen Common moorhen
Common coot White breasted waterhen
Bronze winged jacana Indian pond heron
Cattle egret Little egret
Intermediate egret Cinnamon bittern
Red-wattled Lapwing Grey headed Lapwing
Osprey Grey-headed fish Eagle
Whiskered tarn Little Cormorant
Great Cormorant Oriental Darter
Asian open billed Stork Lesser Adjutant Stork
White wagtail Citrine wagtail
Recorded Waterbird species during study period in Samaguri Beel
Sl.
No
Common
Name/(Local name)
Scientific Name Family Current IUCN Red list
category
1. Common
Kingfisher/(Masruka)
Alcedo atthis
Alcedinidae
Least Concern
2. White throated
Kingfisher/ (Boga
bukua masrura)
Halcyon smyrnensis Least Concern
3 Lesser pied Kingfisher/
(Pokhora masruka)
Ceryle rudis Least Concern
4. Stork billed
Kingfisher/ (Bor thutia
masruka)
Halcyon capensis Least Concern
5. Lesser whistling duck/
(sorali hah)
Dendrocygna javanica
Anatidae
Least Concern
6. Fulvous whistling
duck/ (bor sorali hah)
Dendrocygna bicolor Least Concern
7. Ferruginous pochard /
(Kakoli hah)
Aythya nyroca Near threatened
8 Cotton pigmy goose/
(Ghila hah)
Nettapus coromandelianus
Least Concern
9 Grey headed Purple
Swamphen / (Kam
sorai)
Porphyrio porphyrio
Rallidae
Least Concern
10. Common Moorhen/
(Kura dhekor)
Gallinula chloropus Least Concern
11. Common Coot/ (Nol
dekora)
Fulica atra Least Concern
12. White-Breasted
Waterhen /(Dauk)
Amaurornis
phoenicurus
Least Concern
13. Bronze Winged
Jacana/ (Dolpunga)
Metopidius indicus Jacanidae Least Concern
14. Indian Pond
Heron/(Konamusori)
Ardeola grayii
Ardeidae
Least Concern
15. Cattle Egret/ (Go-Bog) Bubulcus ibis Least Concern
16. Little Egret/ (Bamun
bogoli)
Egretta garzetta Least Concern
Sl.
No
Common
Name/(Local name)
Scientific Name Family Current IUCN Red list
category
17 Intermediate egret/
(Maju bog)
Mesophoyx
intermedia
Ardeidae
Least Concern
18. Cinnamon bittern/
(Itaguria)
Ixobrychus cinnamomeus
Least Concern
19 Red-Wattled Lapwing/
(Bali Ghora)
Vanellus indicus
Charadriidae
Least Concern
20. Grey headed Lapwing/
(Dol Ghora)
Vanellus cinereus Least Concern
21. Osprey/ (Kurua) Pandion haliaetus Pandionidae
Least Concern
22. Grey Headed Fish
Eagle/ (Ukoh)
Ichthyophaga
ichthyaetus
Accipitridae Near threatened
23. Whiskered tarn/
(Gonga siloni)
Chlidonias hybrida Laridae Least Concern
24. Little Cormorant/ (Pani
kauri)
Microcarbo niger
Phalacrocoracidae
Least Concern
25. Great Cormorant/
(Doikola)
Phalacrocorax carbo Least Concern
26. Oriental Darter/
(Moniyori)
Anhinga
melanogaster
Anhingidae Least Concern
27. Asian Open billed
Stork/ (Samuk bhonga)
Anastomus oscitans
Ciconiidae
Least Concern
28. Lesser Adjutant Stork/
(Bortokola)
Leptoptilos javanicus Vulnerable
29. White wagtail/ (Boga
balimahi)
Motacilla alba
Motacillidae
Least Concern
30. Citrine wagtail/
(Poshimia
halodhimuria balimahi)
Motacilla citreola Least Concern
Alcedinidae, 4, 14%
Anatidae, 3, 11%
Rallidae, 4, 14%
Jacanidae, 1, 3%
Ardeidae, 5, 18%
Charadriidae, 1, 3%
Pandionidae, 1, 4%
Accipitridae, 1, 4%
Laridae, 1, 4%
Phalacrocoracidae, 2, 7%
Anhingidae, 1, 4%
Ciconiidae , 2, 7%
Motacillidae, 2, 7%
Family-wise distribution of Water birds
Conclusion:
Therefore, keeping the above facts in mind, the study has some recent facts and an up-to date list of
important migratory and threatened bird species of the Samaguri beel. The affects of habitat degradation on
the surviving avian species of the Samaguri beel was also addressed to that a long term conservation
programmes can be adopted in order to save the species of avian fauna for our future generation.
Satellite view of Samaguri beel.
References:
Richard Grimmett, Tim Inskipp & Carol Inskipp, Birds of Indian Subcontinent (Second edition)
Phatik ch. Gogoi , Asomor sorai
Bikram Grewal, Sumit Sen Sarwandeep Singh, Nikhil Devasar, Garima Bhatia , Introduction by Tim
Inskipp & Carol Inskipp, A Pictorial Field Guide to BIRDS OF INDIA
OINAM SUNANDA DEVI, MAZEDUL ISLAM, JYOTISMITA DAS and PRASANTA KUMAR
SAIKIA, AVIAN-FAUNA OF GAUHATI UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, JALUKBARI,
ASSAM
Santosh Pawar1, Amar Wanjari, Avian Diversity and Seasonal Abundance of Muchi Lake Wetland Near
Pandhakawada, Dist. Yavatmal (M.S.) India.
Banashree Saikia, Population Growth, Changing Landuse Pattern and Their Impact on Wetland Ecology: A
Case Study of Samaguri Wetland of Nagaon District, Assam.