^1,Biodiversity Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Shri Shivaji Science College, Amravati, Maharashtra, India. PIN– 444 603

Corresponding author email: gajuwagh252424@rediffmail.com

Article Publishing History

INTRODUCTION

The Indian subcontinent, a part of vast Oriental biogeographic regions, is very rich in bio-diversity. India hosts 1300 species of birds out of the 9000 of the total birds in the world, constituting 13 percent of the total bird population and thus is an area of high avian diversity. Bird fauna of India represents 48 families out of the total 75 families in the world. Ali and Ripley (1987) considered 176 species endemic to Indian subcontinent. Grasslands, Wetlands, Bushlands, Forests provide appropriate dwelling places for these organisms. Out of 1300 species of Indian subcontinent (Grimmett et al., 2009) more than 577 species have been reported from Maharashtra State (Kasambe  2016). In Vidarbha, a total of 417 species has been reported (Anon, 2009) and overall Amravati district has 392 birds species (Wadatkar et al., 2016).

Total Forest cover in Indian geography is 21.54 percent, wetlands (under the Ramsar Convention, excluding rivers) has an area of 60 million hectare, grasslands or bushlands occupy nearly 24 percent of the geographical area in India. Moreover, increasing demands on these fragile grassland ecosystems from multiple quarters, notably agricultural intensification, infrastructure development, mining, quarrying, industrial and commercial development, invasive species, and what is more, the very neglect of the common property resources, have eroded much of the native grasslands in the subcontinent with faunal diversity. However the biodiversity in the grassland is not studied to a depth. Comparative studies of avian community composition in different habitat inculding Forests, Wetlands, Grasslands and even in Urban and Sub-urban area can improve our knowledge of general pattern and process that characterize bird species and communities. Birds that depend on grassland and scrub vegetation was experienced a greater decline than any other habitats. Habitat loss and degradation of winter foraging and breeding ground observed leading causes of this decline. (Mankadan  2014, West , 2016, Johnson  et al., 2019).

Hence, the present study was carried out for the documentation of diversity, species richness, abundance and evenness of birds associated to the grasslands and wetlands and to know the present status of avian fauna in and around the MIDC area of Nandgaonpeth Amravati specifically.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Maharashtra Industrial Development Co-operation (M.I.D.C) was established in 1962. MIDC manages its 289 industrial complexes spread over 66,000 hectares of land. Amravati zone (21°01’20” N and 77°51’41” E), with an elevation of 364 meters, is divided in two Parts Amravati MIDC Badnera old bypass and MIDC Nandgaonpeth (NP). It is an area of 2800 hectare, distributed in Commercial, Industrial and Residential zones. The complete 2800 hectare is not a plot able land, 1124 hectare land occupied by textile industrial stakeholders. Rest of the 2800 hectare of land is divided amongst other zones, roads, open spaces, grasslands, wetland and other amenities. The selected study area was 24.79 kms, including grasslands, bush lands forests and wetland. All these lands were connected by major road-ways; one of such was Amravati-Nagpur Expressway (National Highway No. 6).

Figure 1: Map showing the study area (Nandgaonpeth MIDC area), Amravati M.S

Figure 2: (A) Showing the grassland habitat and (B) Showing the wetland habitat in study area

The study was carried out in November 2018 to February 2019 (Four Months) in MIDC Nandgaonpeth, Amravati.(Fig.1and2). For this study, 5 zones were chosen in study area. Monthly four visits were made in the study area. Observations were made during 7:30 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. Various Quadrates were selected from the study area. Line Transect and Belt Transect bird survey methods of quantification were used for Grassland bird study and Point transect was used for Wetland birds.

Observation and Identification was done using Nikon 8-16×40 mm Binocular. Photographic observations were taken by using Nikon D90 DSLR Camera with 70-300mm and 80-400mm Zoom lens and 18-105mm normal lens. Nikon P600 Point-shoot Camera with a fixed lens, Go pro Hero 5 action camera was also used. Coordinates of the study area were recorded by GPS Garmin-60. Map of the study area was created using Arch Map 10.5 and Arch GIS software. Birds were identified and listed with the help of available resources, books and checklist (Ali S., and Ripley (1987), Grimmet et al., (2000). Rasmussen, P.C. and Anderton, P.C., (2012) and Checklist of Birds of Amravati District, Wadatkar et al.,(2016).

Data Analysis: All the recorded species were statistically analyzed using various parameters like Diversity Index (Shannon-Wiener’s Index; H’), Species Evenness, Relative Density, Species Abundance and Richness.

Shannon-Wiener Index (1963): – The recorded number of Individuals of each Species were Statistically evaluated using Species Diversity index (H’) {Shannon-Wiener Index},The values ranging between 0, indicating Low community complexity and 4 and above indicating High community complexity.

Relative Density: –

Abundance: – It is the number of birds of particular species as a percentage of total bird population of a given area.

Richness: – The number of species per sample is a measure of Richness. The more the species present in the sample, the “richer” the sample. Margalef’s index was used as a simple measure of species richness.

Margalef’s index=(S-1/In N

Where S=total number of Species, N=total number of individuals in the sample and In= natural logarithm.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Total 221 species were reported in the study area, out of which 126 birds were observed in Grassland area and 95 species were recorded from the Wetlands. In Grassland a total of 1473 individuals from all the bird species were reported and from Wetland 909 individuals were reported. The study area is a richly diversified, with patches of grassland and wetland in all over the MIDC area.(Table 1&2).In all 59 Families of birds were observed in the course of study. Out of which 35 families belong to the grassland birds, and 24 families are of wetland birds. In the families of grassland birds, maximum 14 Species were recorded from, Accipitridae family and in Wetland bird’s maximum 15 Species were recorded from two families, Scolopacidae and Anatidae each. (Fig.3&4).Accipitridae family includes (Raptors) Black kite, Eurasian Sparrow-hawk, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Harriers, Booted Eagle etc. while Scolopacidae family include (Waders) Sandpipers, Snipes, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Godwit, Stint, etc. Indian Silver bill recorded the maximum number of individuals (80) of a Grassland Species, and Black-winged Stilt recorded the maximum number of individuals (70) from Wetlands.

Table 1: Checklist of Grassland Avian Fauna from MIDC area(NP), Amravati

Sr no	Common Name	Scientific Name	Family	ST	IUCN status
1	Grey Francolin	Francolinus pondicerianus	PHASIANIDAE (8)	R	LC
2	Painted Francolin	Francolinus pictus		R	LC
3	Common Quail	Coturnix coturnix		W	LC
4	Rain Quail	Coturnix coromandelica		R	LC
5	Jungle Bush Quail	Perdicula asiatica		R	LC
6	Rock Bush Quail	Perdicula argoondah		R	LC
7	Barred Buttonquail	Turnix suscitator		R	LC
8	Small Buttonquail	Turnix sylvaticus		R	LC
9	Eurasian wryneck	Jynx torquilla	PICIDAE (4)	W	LC
10	Common Flameback	Dinopium javanense		R	LC
11	Yellow-crowned Woodpecker	Dendrocopos mahrattensis		R	LC
12	White-naped Woodpecker	Chrysocolaptes festivus		R	LC
13	Coppersmith Barbet	Megalaima haemacephala	MEGALAIMIDAE (1)	R	LC
14	Common Hoopoe	Upupa epops	UPUPIDAE (1)	R	LC
15	Indian Roller	Coracias benghalensis	CORACIIDAE (2)	R	LC
16	European Roller	Coracias garrulus		PV	NT
17	Green Bee-eater	Merops orientalis	MEROPIDAE (2)	R	LC
18	Pied Cuckoo	Clamator jacobinus	CUCULIDAE (6)	BM	LC
19	Common Hawk Cuckoo	Hierococcyx varius		R	LC
20	Indian Cuckoo	Cuculus micropterus		R	LC
21	Eurasian Cuckoo	Cuculus canorus		BM	LC
22	Grey-bellied Cuckoo	Cacomantis passerinus		BM	LC
23	Asian Koel	Eudynamys scolopaceus		R	LC
24	Southern Coucal	Centropus sinensis	CENTROPODIDAE (1)	R	LC
25	Alexandrine Parakeet	Psittacula eupatria	PSITTACIDAE (3)	R	NT
26	Rose-ringed Parakeet	Psittacula krameri		R	LC
27	Plum-headed Parakeet	Psittacula cyanocephala		R	LC
28	Little Swift	Apus affinis	APODIDAE (2)	R	LC
29	Asian Palm Swift	Cypsiurus balasiensis		R	LC
30	Common Barn Owl	Tyto alba	TYTONIDAE (1)	R	LC
31	Eurasian Eagle Owl	Bubo bubo	STRIGIDAE (4)	R	LC
32	Spotted Owlet	Athene brama		R	LC
33	Brown Hawk-Owl	Ninox scutulata		R	LC
34	Short-eared Owl	Asio flammeus		W	LC
35	Indian Nightjar	Caprimulgus asiaticus	CAPRIMULGIDAE (2)	R	LC
36	Indian Jungle Nightjar	Caprimulgus indicus		R	LC
37	Rock Pigeon	Columba livia	COLUMBIDAE (6)	R	LC
38	Yellow-footed Green Pigeon	Treronphoenicoptera		R	LC
39	Eurasian Collard-Dove	Streptopeliadecaocto		R	LC
40	Red Collard-Dove	Streptopelia tranquebarica		R	LC
41	Spotted Dove	Spilopelia chinensis		R	LC
42	Laughing Dove	Spilopelia senegalensis		R	LC
43	Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse	Pterocles exustus	PTEROCLIDAE (2)	R	LC
44	Painted Sandgrouse	Pterocles indicus		R	LC
45	Yellow-wattled Lapwing	Vanellus malabaricus	CHARADRIIDAE (2)	R	LC
46	Red-wattled Lapwing	Vanellus indicus		R	LC
47	Indian Courser	Cursoriuscoro mandelicus	GLAREOLIDAE (1)	R	LC
48	Black-shouldered Kite	Elanus axillaris	ACCIPITRIDAE (14)	R	LC
49	Black Kite	Milvus migrans		R	LC
50	Black-eared Kite	Milvus migranslineatus		W	LC
51	Shikra	Accipiter badius		R	LC
52	Eurasian Sparrow Hawk	Accipiter nisus		W	LC
53	Booted Eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus		W	LC
54	Eurasian Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus		W	LC
55	Short-toed Snake Eagle	Circaetus gallicus		R	LC
56	Pallid Harrier	Circus macrourus		W	NT
57	Pied Harrier	Circus melanoleucos		W	LC
58	Montagu’s Harrier	Crcus pygragus		W	LC
59	Crested Serpent Eagle	Spilornis cheela		R	LC
60	Oriental Honey Buzzard	Pernis ptilorhynchus		R	LC
61	White-eyed Buzzard	Butastur teesa		R	LC
62	Common Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	FALCONIDAE (5)	R	LC
63	Lesser Kestrel	Falco naumanni		PV	LC
64	Eurasian Hobby	Falco subbuteo		W	LC
65	Red-necked Falcon	Falco chicquera		R	NT
66	Amur Falcon	Falco amurensis		PV	LC
67	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	ARDEIDAE (1)	R	LC
68	Bay-backed Shrike	Lanius vittatus	LANIIDAE (3)	R	LC
69	Long-tailed Shrike	Lanius schach		R	LC
70	Brown Shrike	Lanius cristatus		W	LC
71	Rufous Treepie	Dendrocitta vagabunda	CORVIDAE (7)	R	LC
72	House Crow	Corvus splendens		R	LC
73	Small Minivet	Pericrocotus cinnamomeus		R	LC
74	Black Drongo	Dicrurus macrocercus		R	LC
75	White-browed Fantail	Rhipidura aureola		R	LC
76	Asian Paradise-flycatcher	Terpsiphone paradisi		R	LC
77	Common Iora	Aegithina tiphia		R	LC
78	Oriental Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis	MUSCICAPIDAE (8)	R	LC
79	Desert Wheatear	Oenanthe  desertii		W	LC
80	Orange-headed Thrush	Zoothera citrina		R	LC
81	Indian Robin	Saxicoloides fulicatus		R	LC
82	Black Redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros		W	LC
83	Indian Chat	Cercomela fusca		R	LC
84	Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata		W	LC
85	Pied Bushchat	Saxicola caprata		R	LC
86	Brahminy Starling	Sturnia pagodarum	STURNIDAE (5)	R	LC
87	Rosy Starling	Sturnia roseus		W	LC
88	Asian Pied Starling	Gracupica contra		R	LC
89	Common Myna	Acridotheres tristis		R	LC
90	Chestnut-tailed Starling	Sturnia malabarica		W	LC
91	Dusky Craig Martin	Ptyonoprogne concolor	HIRUNDINIDAE (4)	R	LC
92	Grey-throated Martin	Riparia chinensis		R	LC
93	Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica		W	LC
94	Wire-tailed Swallow	Hirundo smithii		R	LC
95	Red-vented Bulbul	Pycnonotus cafer	PYCNONOTIDAE (1)	R	LC
96	Zitting Cisticola	Cisticola juncidis	CISTICOLIDAE (1) SYLVIIDAE (5)	R	LC
97	Jungle Prinia	Prinia sylvatica		R	LC
98	Plain Prinia	Prinia inornate		R	LC
99	Ashy Prinia	Prinia socialis		R	LC
100	Blyth’s Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus dumetorum		R	LC
101	Lesser Whitethroat	Sylvia curruca		W	LC
102	Common Tailor Bird	Orthotomus sutorius		R	LC
103	Yellow-eyed Babbler	Chrysomma sinense		R	LC
104	Large Grey Babbler	Turdoides malcolmi		R	LC
105	Jungle Babbler	Turdoides striatus		R	LC
106	Common Babbler	Turdoides caudatus		R	LC
107	Indian Bush Lark	Mirafra erythroptera	ALAUDIDAE (6)	R	LC
108	Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark	Eremopterix griseus		R	LC
109	Sykes’s Lark	Galerida deva		R	LC
110	Singing Bushlark	Mirafra cantillllans		W	LC
111	Rufous-tailed Lark	Ammomanes phoenicura		R	LC
112	Greater Short-toed Lark	Calandrella brachydactyla		W	LC
113	Purple-rumped Sunbird	Leptocomazeylonica	NECTARINIDAE (2)	R	LC
114	Purple Sunbird	Cinnyris asiaticus		R	LC
115	Paddyfield Pipit	Anthus rufulus	PASSERIDAE (8)	R	LC
116	Tawny Pipit	Anthus campestris		W	LC
117	House Sparrow	Passer domesticus		R	LC
118	Chestnut-shouldered Petronia	Petronia xanthocollis		R	LC
119	Baya Weaver	Ploceus philippinus		R	LC
120	Red Avadavat	Amandava amandava		R	LC
121	Indian Silverbill	Euodice malabarica		R	LC
122	Scaly-breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata		R	LC
123	Indian Pitta	Pitta brachyura	PITTIDAE (1)	BM	LC
124	Asian paradise Flycatcher	Terpsiphone paradisi	MONARCHIDAE (1)	R	LC
125	Grey-necked Bunting	Emberiza buchanani	FRINGILLIDAE (1)	W	LC
126	Oriental White-eye	Zosterops palpebrosus	ZOSTEROPIDAE	R	LC

R=Widespread Resident; W=Widespread Winter Visitor; PV=Passage Visitor; RM=Resident Migrant and BM=Breeding Migrant.

IUCN’s list of Threatened species (2018), categorized as Least Concerned (LC), Near Threatened (NT) and Vulnerable (VU).

Table 2: Checklist of Wetland Avian Fauna associated to MIDC area (N.P), Amravati.

Sr no	Common Name	Scientific Name	Family	ST	IUCN status
1	Lesser Whistling Duck	Dendro cygnajavanica	DENDROCYGNDIAE (1)	R	LC
2	Bar-headed Goose	Anser indicus	ANATIDAE (15)	W	LC
3	Northern Pintail	Anas acuta		W	LC
4	Common Teal	Anas crecca		W	LC
5	Red-crested Pochard	Rhedonessa rufina		W	LC
6	Common Pochard	Aythya ferina		W	VU
7	Indian Spot-billed Duck	Anas poecilorhyncha		R	LC
8	Gadwall	Mareca strepera		W	LC
9	Garganey	Anas querquedula		W	LC
10	Tufted Duck	Aythya fuligula		W	LC
11	Northern Shoveller	Anas clypeata		W	LC
12	Eurasian Wigeon	Anas penelope		W	LC
13	Ruddy (Brahminy) Duck	Tadorna ferruginea		W	LC
14	Comb Duck (Knob-billed)	Sarkidiornis melanotos		R	LC
15	Ferruginous Pochard	Aythya nyroca		W	NT
16	Cotton Pigmy goose	Nettapus coromandelianus		R	LC
17	Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	ALCEDINIDAE (1)	R	LC
18	White-throated Kingfisher	Halcyon smyrnensis	HALCYONIDAE (1)	R	LC
19	Pied Kingfisher	Ceryle rudis	CERYLIDAE (1)	R	LC
20	White-breasted Waterhen	Amanrornis phoenicurus	RALLIDAE (3)	R	LC
21	Purple Swamphen	Porphyrio porphyrio		R	LC
22	Common Coot	Fulica atra		R	LC
23	Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa	SCOLOPACIDAE (15)	W	NT
24	Pintail Snipe	Gallinago stenura		W	LC
25	Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago		W	LC
26	Jack Snipe	Lymnocryptes minimus		W	LC
27	Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia		W	LC
28	Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus		W	LC
29	Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus		W	LC
30	Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos		W	LC
31	Wood Sandpiper	Tringa glareola		W	LC
32	Marsh Sandpiper	Tringa stagnatilis		W	LC
33	Little Stint	Calidris minuta		W	LC
34	Temminck’s Stint	Calidris temminckii		W	LC
35	Curlew Sandpiper	Calidris ferruginea		PV	NT
36	Ruff	Philomachus pugnax		W	LC
37	Pied Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta		PV	LC
38	Greater-painted Snipe	Rostratula benghalensis	ROSTRATULIDAE (1)	R	LC
39	Pheasant-tailed Jacana	Hydrophasianus chirurgus	JACANIDAE (2)	R	LC
40	Bronze-winged Jacana	Metopidius indicus		R	LC
41	Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	CHARADRIIDAE (4)	RM	LC
42	Little-ringed Plover	Charadrius dubius		W	LC
43	Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus		BM	LC
44	Yellow-wattled Lapwing	Vanellus malabaricus		R	LC
45	Red-wattled Lapwing	Vanellus indicus	GLAREOLIDAE (3)	R	LC
46	Small Pratincole	Glareola lactea		R	LC
47	Collard Pratincole	Glareola pratincola		PV	LC
48	Brown-headed Gull	Larus brunnicephalus	LARIDAE (5)	W	LC
49	River Tern	Sterna aurantia		RM	NT
50	Little Tern	Sterna albifrons		BM	LC
51	Whiskered Tern	Chlidonias hybrida		W	LC
52	Gull-billed Tern	Gelochelidon nilotica		PV	LC
53	Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	PODICIPEDIDAE (1)	R	LC
54	Darter	Anhinga melanogaster	ANHINGIDAE (1)	R	NT
55	Little Cormorant	Phalacrocorax niger	PHALACROCORACIDAE (3)	R	LC
56	Indian Cormorant	Phalacrocorax fuscicollis		R	LC
57	Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo		R	LC
58	Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	ARDEIDAE (10)	R	LC
59	Great Egret	Casmerodius albus		R	LC
60	Intermediate Egret	Mesophoyx intermedia		R	LC
61	Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis		R	LC
62	Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea		R	LC
63	Purple Heron	Ardea purpurea		R	LC
64	Indian Pond Heron	Ardeola grayii		R	LC
65	Little Green Heron	Butorides striatus		R	LC
66	Yellow Bittern	Ixobrychus sinensis		R	LC
67	Black Bittern	Ixobrychus flavicollis		R	LC
68	Black-headed Ibis	Threskiornis melanocephalus	PHOENICOPTERIDAE (4)	R	NT
69	Black Ibis	Pseudibis papillosa		R	LC
70	Eurasian Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia		RM	LC
71	Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus		W	LC
72	Painted Stork	Myeteria leucocephala	CICONIIDAE (4)	RM	NT
73	Asian Openbill	Anastomus oscitans		W	LC
74	Wooly-necked Stork	Ciconia episcopus		R	V
75	Black Stork	Ciconia nigra		W	LC
76	White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	PASSERIDAE (6)	W	LC
77	White-browed Wagtail	Motacilla maderaspatensis		R	LC
78	Citrine Wagtail	Motacilla citreola		W	LC
79	Yellow Wagtail	Motacilla flava		W	LC
80	Grey Wagtail	Mptacilla cinereal		W	LC
81	Paddy-field Pipit	Anthus rufulus		R	LC
82	Sykes’s Lark	Galerida deva	ALAUDIDAE (2)	R	LC
83	Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark	Eremopterix grisea		R	LC
84	Dusky-craig Martin	Hirundo concolor	HIRUNDINIDAE (7)	R	LC
85	Grey-throated Martin	Riparia chinensis		R	LC
86	Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica		W	LC
87	Wire-tailed Swallow	Hirundo smithii		R	LC
88	Red-rumped Swallow	Hirundo daurica		R	LC
89	Streak-throated Swallow	Hirundo fluvicola		R	LC
90	Pale Sand Martin	Riparia diluta		W	LC
91	Clamorous Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus stentoreus	SYLVIIDAE (2)	W	LC
92	Booted Warbler	Iduna caligata		R	LC
93	Indian Stone-Curlew	Burhinus indicus	BRUHINIDAE (2)	R	LC
94	Great Stone Curlew	Esacu srecurvirostris		R	NT
95	Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	PANDIONIDAE (1)	R	LC

Recorded species from grasslands and Wetlands of MIDC (N.P.), Amravati were statistically analyzed using various parameters like Diversity Index (Shannon-Wiener’s Index; H’), Species Evenness, Relative Density, Species Abundance and Richness.

For Grassland bird Species:

H=3.936

H(max)= ln(N)= 4.836

Evenness=H/H(max)=0.813, (here H=3.936)

Shannon’s Diversity Index (H)=3.963 and Evenness= 0.813

For Wetland bird Species:

H=3.874

H(max)= ln (N)= 4.553

Evenness= H/H(max)= 0.850, (here H=3.874)

Shannon’s Diversity Index (H)=3.874 and Evenness=0.850

Figure 3: Graph showing family wise species number of birds associated to Grassland

Figure 4: Graph showing family wise species number of birds associated to Wetland

Recorded species were also assorted according to the IUCN’s list of Threatened species (2018) categorized. In grassland 122 species belong to Least Concerned and 4 species belong to Near-Threatened (Fig. 5). In wetland 85 species belongs to LC, 8 species were of NT status and 2 species belonged to VU (Fig 6). All the recorded species were statistically analyzed using various parameters like Diversity Index (Shannon-Wiener’s Index; H’) and Species Evenness , Relative Density, Species Abundance and species Richness. The diversity index, species evenness, relative density, species abundance for Grassland were 3.96, 0.81, 0-5.43,80 and 17.13 whereas 3.87,0.85,0-7.7,70 and 13.79 for wetland respectively.(Table no.3).

Table 3: Summary of Data Analysis

Observations	Grassland bird Species	Wetland bird Species
Total Individuals	1473	909
Total Species	126	95
Species Richness	17.13	13.79
Shannon’s Diversity Index(H’)	3.963	3.874
Evenness	0.813	0.850
Relative Density	0 – 5.431	0 – 7.700
Abundance	80 Min=1 Max=80	70 Min=1 Max=70

Figure 5: Graph showing IUCN status of birds in Grassland

Figure 6: Graph showing IUCN status of birds in Wetland

All the recorded species were categorized according to their presence in the study area. In grassland resident (R) constitutes 96 species, winter visitors (W) includes 23 species, breeding migrants (BM) includes 4 species and passage visitor (PV) 3 species (Fig. 7).Whereas in wetland, resident (R) constitutes 47 species, Winter visitors (W) constitutes 36 species, resident migrant (RM) include 4 species, breeding migrant (BM) include 2 Species and passage visitor (PV) include 3 species.(Fig. 8).

Figure 7: Graph showing percentage of (R) and (M) birds in Grassland.

The extensive grasslands in the region have a very rich fauna of birds, especially grassland birds. They have large patches of steppe grasslands which have places for Feeding and Roosting and hence, it is a preferred habitat for various migratory and resident birds. Birds like Munias, Larks, Pipits, Baya weavers, Sparrows, Coursers, Partridges and Quails were amongst the most occurring in the wide spread grassland. Apart from these grassland dwellers this area hosts a wide-ranging raptor population. Many migratory birds recite here for definite period of time, various Falcons, Harriers, Eagles, Kites and Hawks were recorded during the course of study.In the Wetland region; Storks, Sandpipers, Plovers, Ducks, Water hens, and many other waders were recorded. The wetland patches every-year hosts a wide range of migratory birds in huge numbers, Bar-headed Geese every-year come and rest here during their migration in 100 of numbers. Apart from these, little waders including Stints, Plovers and Sandpipers also turn up in large numbers.

Figure 8: Graph showing percentage of (R) and (M) birds in Wetland.

In grassland total of 91% were Least concerned and 9% were Near Threatened species (European Roller, Alexandrine Parakeet, Pallid Harrier, Red-necked Falcon) . Similarly, in wetland 90% was Least Concerned, 8% were Near Threatened (Ferruginous Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, River Tern, Darter, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork and Great Stone Curlew) and 2% were vulnerable species (Common Pochard and Wooly-necked Stork). Also, the Avian diversity was classified according their status, 96 Resident species, 23 Winter visitors species,4 Breeding Migrants species and 3 Passage visitor species in grassland patches and in Wetland, out of 95 Species, 47 Resident species, 36 Winter visitor species, 4 Resident Migrants species, 2 Breeding Migrants and 3 Passage visitors species.

The Grasslands hosts a wide variety of avian life. Large patches of land provide space for Roosting and a rich prey base too. Most occurring Family was the Accipitridae, which includes mostly Raptors. The preference of this type of habitats by these birds indicates their presence in the particular area for Prey base hunting, and Roosting purposes. However, the number of Individuals or Frequency of their sightings is very insignificant. Loss of habitat could be one reason leading to this. One of such very rare Raptor species visiting MIDC grassland Amravati, is the Amur Falcon Falco amurensis. The Amur Falcon is a fascinating migratory raptor. Every year, they migrate west through India and across the Arabian Sea to Southern Africa. Because of the long journey, stopover sites are important for these birds to maintain energy level. Amravati lies in their migratory Flyway, although it is very rare to sight the bird in the vast grasslands around the city. Also, a very rich number of Larks, Sliver Munia, Red Avadavat and Scaly-breasted Munia were also observed. This could be because, these species are particularly granivores and the habitat provides a lot of different grasses and seeds dispersed all over the place, which is the specific diet for them.

Family Scolopacidae and Anatidae, recorded the maximum number of species in the Wetlands. Snipes, Sandpipers, Shanks, Stints and Ducks and Goose, constitute this family. Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus another prominent winter visitor observed in the wetlands of the study area. Their number is fairly enough and each year they arrive in flocks of 70-100 individuals. Their abundant number is due to the Food preference they exhibit. Bar-headed Goose prefers small lush green grasses around the water bodies. Another winter sojourning bird is the Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, is a member of Stork family, which is found in the wetlands, and prefer Fishes as major food item. Hence, their presence in the wetlands of study area is justified. Wading across the banks of the water body these birds constantly search for small fishes, snails etc. Apart from these, the wetlands host a variety of other ducks, migrating from right from the colder regions like Siberia, Russia to Africa, for various reasons.

From the report of birds of Banni Grassland Gujrat submitted by the Koladiya ,et.al (2011) . The grassland species of birds almost similar to our observations done in MIDC area, mostly the Raptor family was prominently seen at both the places i.e., Red-necked Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Pallid and Pied Harriers, Eagles and Kites. Water birds like Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Gadwall etc. were recorded from both the areas. This depicts the species diversity and richness of the grasslands and wetland associated to MIDC Amravati.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus, one of the rarest-winter migratory bird also showed its presence in the study area. this could be a positive sign, as their presence in the area marks the potential for new species to migrate here. Another unforeseen sighting from MIHAN Nagpur, a Lesser Florican female Sypheo tidesindica was recently recorded. It is endemic to Indian subcontinent and is declared as ‘Endangered’ species by the IUCN. MIHAN is an under developing Industrial Cargo-Hub, which was previously an extensive farm land. Due to relocation of the farms and conversion of left-over undeveloped areas as Grasslands, it could have established as a potential Habitat for Lesser Florican and hence, noted its presence. This could help in ‘Species Restoration’ of these birds in a newer developing grassland habitat might be leads to increasing their number, as the whole Vidarbha region was once their natural habitat. Apart from all the negative wreck, this takeover by MIDC authority of the farm lands, converting the unutilized part to grasslands, is causing their (Short-eared Owl, Lesser Florican), positive comeback too.

On statistically analyzing the observed avian diversity, it shows the ambit, a bit in control. But the rising industrial cover and anthropogenic pressure could lead to drastic effects on these species. Upon calculating the Relative Density of Grassland birds, the range was from (0 – 5.431) and Wetland Relative Density range was (0 – 7.700). Highest Abundance was 40 in grassland birds and 70 for wetland birds. The Species Diversity index was calculated as 3.963 for Grassland and 3.874 for Wetland birds.(Table 3). According to Shannon and Weiner (1963), if the value of Diversity is ranging between 0 indicates Low community complexity and 4 and above indicating High community complexity. All these parameters exhibit a fair presence of faunal diversity in MIDC area Amravati, but at the same time it showcases an Alarming-signal for future conservation measures.

With such rich faunal diversity of Birds, the rising Industrialization has started to exhibit its consequences. Every year the number of visiting birds is on a fall, loss of Habitat could be one of the major causes of this loss. Loss of Roosting grounds, open prairies, leading to insufficient food and water supply to birds are also contributing majorly. Factors like construction of road-ways, involvement of domestic animals for grazing, disturbance by stray dogs, heavy transportation activities through grassland patches, Clamorous noises from the nearby factories also leads the neighboring species to choose another area, water shortage due to uncontrolled usage for commercial and residential are also associated to loss of bird diversity from grasslands. Regrettably, the inimitable biodiversity of the Grasslands remains poorly documented in our region and hence, this study could provide a base-line data and could be helpful in future studies.

CONCLUSION

In all 395 species of birds recorded from Amravati District, out of which 221 species were observed only in MIDC area of Nandgaonpeth Amravati. This is almost 50% of the entire Amravati district bird’s species observed till now. This study also presented the Species Diversity Shannon-Wiener index, Species Abundance, Relative Density, Evenness and Richness of the avian species in MIDC area. These entire parameters exhibit high avian faunal existence in MIDC area of Amravati. This shows that the MIDC grasslands and wetlands provide a very rich fauna to the avian diversity, and would be a potential habitat for many others, like Short-eared Owl and Lesser Florican. However, MIDC of Nandgaonpeth Amravati was established in 2012 and since then developmental works started to bloom. This region has since been growing industrially at the cost of loss of Habitat. Once this region could have hosted a varied variety of Avian Fauna, but Industrialization has affected on their existence as well on their numbers. Hence, in this alarming situation this study showed a preliminary documentation of avian fauna in MIDC area, even though this is just a Base-line data but it would be of great use for future avian studies. Also, this study would be useful for establishing the environmental impacts of industrialization of MIDC area on bird diversity.  There is critical demand for continuous study in this field.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Authors sincerely acknowledge to M.I.D.C Amravati authorities for providing all the needful information regarding the study area. We are very much thankful to the Mr. Shubham Wagh who designed and made available the MIDC area Map.We are also grateful to the Mr. Devrat Kulkarni for their field assistance during the survey.

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