Authors : G.D. Deshmukh and R.N. Chavan
Page Nos : 80-87
Description :
The present study was undertaken to explore species avifaunal diversity, and their residential status in and arrond the study area. The study area, Pandav Talav (Pond) near Nagbhid (20º34’52.32â€N and longitude 79 º39’02.27â€E) is a water reservoir, located within newly approved Ghodazari Sanctuary by Government of Maharashtra. It presents unique geographical site having mountaneous dry deciduous tropical forest, on its north-western side, paddy fields on eastern side and towards south-eastern side is now being encroached by local community for residential purpose. The moist deciduous tropical forest is dominated by teak Tectona grandis and bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus, interspersed with meadows and paddy cultivations. It presents unique geographical site having mountaneous tropical forest range bounding Ghodazari Lake from three sides and Paddy fields on another side. A toal of arround 54 species belonging to 24 families 10 orders were recorded during Jan, 2016 to Dec. 2018. The species recorded included 13 Migrant (M), 22 Passage Migrant (LM) and 40 Residents (R). Among these Orders, Charadiformes is richest orders in terms of avian species diversity, represented by 11 species while families Ardeidae, and Anatidae are found predominant. Ardea grayii. Phalacrocorax niger, Charadrius dubios are most abundant species while Phalacrocorax corbo, Anhinga melanogaster, Vanellius malabaricus and Circus aeruginosus are few rare birds sighted here. Present study will helps in designing conservation strategy as this agro-forest ecosystem posing threat by grazing, forest fires during summer, poaching of birds and man-animal conflict and hence require immediate attention.
