NewBioWorld A Journal of Alumni Association
of Biotechnology (2019) 1(2):16-22
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Avifauna richness and abundance of Chhal Coal mining area
under Dharamjaigarh Forest Division
Vijay Kumar Bhagat1*,
Manas Manohar Ujjaini1, Mudit Kumar Singh1*
State Forest Research and
Training Institute Raipur, Near Vidhan Sabha, Baloda Bazar Road, Raipur (C.G.) 493 111, India.
*Email-kumarvijaybhagat1@gmail.com
ARTICLE INFORMATION
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ABSTRACT
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Article history:
Received
16 January 2019
Received in revised form
12 March 2019
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|
Opencast mining is one of the significant factors responsible for the
destruction of natural habitats for many wildlife including birds. In the present
time as the mining activities are increasing, the ecological niche of birds
is being disrupted. So, this analysis was done to assess the effect of mining
and associated activities on the diversity and distribution of birds. The
study site disturbed by the coal mining activity and was very less suitable
for avifauna. A total of 1653 individual of 106 bird species belonging to 49
families were recorded in study area. Seasonal surveys, the avifauna
populations have been recorded which are as; Summer season survey, total 405
individuals of 61avifauna species; Winter season survey, total 776
individuals of 89 avifauna species; and in Autumn season survey, 472
individuals of 50 avifauna species were recorded. The result indicates the
rich diversity and abundance of birds from observed seasonal variation of the
study area. In conclusion, mining and its associated activities do affect the
diversity and distribution of birds in OCP Chhal Dharamjaigarh Forest
Division.
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Keywords:
Abundance
Avifauna
Diversity
Mining
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Introduction
Destruction
of niche of avifauna is closely associated with mining and its harmful
associated activities. With an increase in its demand with regards to
commercial market and its role in the development of a nation its activity has
also been continuously increased (Vishwakarma et al. 2018). Along with mining, major
parts of forests and Avifauna habitats are being replaced by agriculture land,
industries, roads-railways network, for human habitation, leading to the
disruption of habitat and overall loss of biological diversity (Nikunj et al.
2013). This disturbance has resulted in an imbalance in ecological equilibrium.
In India continuous human development and urbanization has changed most natural
habitats and mining is one of them; birds are good indicators as they respond
fast to threat and changing environmental conditions. Birds provide several
ecological functions such as pest control, pollination, seed dispersal and
plant reproduction in thousands of economically and culturally important plant
species through its consumption of various terrestrial, aquatic and aerial
resources (Whelan et al. 2018).
The bird
population is an indication of environmental changes as they respond fast to
threats and changing environment conditions (Barov, 2011). Indian birds,
putting the number of species across the country are 1306. With that figure,
India accounts for 12 percent of the total number of bird species in the world,
amounting to 10,135 among the 1306 species. Taxonomically, the bird population
in the country is divided into 26 orders, 111 families and 492 genera. Of these
72 species of birds are endemic to India, constituting about 5.5% of the
country’s bird diversity (Praveen et al. 2018). Keeping safe the significant diversity
of biotic community of this important region is therefore a high conservation
priority, and detailed research is necessary to find out more precisely how
habitat loss and change impacts biodiversity so that effective measures may be
taken to slow these impacts. However, due to its isolation, less understanding
of the ecological relations of avifaunal communities in this area remains poor (Martin and
Blackburn, 2010).
Study Area
The study area is located within Raigarh District of
Chhattisgarh state. The project is located south of village Chhal at an
approximate distance of 2.5
km on Kharsia - Dharamjaigarh State Highway and 16 km
from Kharsia town.
Figure
1: Showing
location map of study area
The
Block is bounded by latitude 22004’40” and 22006’27” and longitudes 83006’10”
and 83009’10” and is included in the survey of India topological sheet no. 64
N/4 area of core boundary 185.155 hectare (EIA and EMP report). Study area
divided into two parts in core and buffer. Study area surrounded by protected
forest and revenue forest area in which Sal (Shorea
robusta), Chhar (Buchanania lanzan) and
Mahua (Madhuca indica) are dominant
tree species.
Materials
and Methods
Major surveys for the estimation and counting of avifauna
were conducted between the month of May 2018 to March 2019 by using a transect
line approach (Bibby et al. 1992) for extensive survey of whole mining area
including core and buffer zones (Fig. 1); so as to assess the status of
avifauna and to identify the habitats pattern used by the birds. For each line
transect, three observers had walked along the path, and independently recorded
the number of species and individual birds in the study area with the aid of
binoculars. If possible, photographs had also taken to aid in the
identification process. Total 26 line transect were taken up in study area.
During the field surveys, we made a line transect of 1.20 km (mostly used a
path/trail followed by the villagers to enter in the forest) in which distance
sampling were taken in every 300 m in the transect to estimate the population
of avifauna, its habit, habitat and nesting pattern including the floral
diversity of the proposed mining area). A circular sample plot of 10 m radius
had been taken in each transect at an interval of 300 m i.e. total 5 sample
plots made in one transect in which vegetation composition (grass, herb, shrub
and regeneration) and all tree species data had been taken including height and
girth (using meter tape) along with the counting of avifauna. Birds were recorded
from each transect line plotted in study site and prepared a checklist of
availability of avifauna. Perch heights of individuals have also recorded to
find out the utilization of vertical dimension by birds. Perch height class of
all the birds has recorded in case of all direct sightings. All the birds were
identified using the standard field guides (Grimmett et al. 2013).
Results and Discussion
Overall
from three seasonal surveys, total numbers of 1653 individual species of
avifauna were recorded from 106 different species belongs to 49 families.
According to three seasonal surveys, the seasonal variations of avifauna
populations have been recorded which are as; Summer season survey, total 405
individuals of 61 different avifauna species; Winter season survey, total 776
individuals of 89 different avifauna species; and in Autumn season survey, 472
individuals of 50 different avifauna species were recorded (Fig. 2).
Among all the three seasonal surveys, winter season surveys outputs
highest populations of birds during the study. This study reveals that the most
of the avifauna presence in the study site is in winter season. The aquatic
avifauna species were observed and recorded during the winter season survey.
Mostly, the birds found in the study were belongs to Columbidae and Anatidae
family with 8 bird species each and Cuculidae and Muscicadidae family with 5
species each (Fig. 3).
Figure 2: Seasonal
avifauna abundance in the study area
The
avifaunal diversity population in the present study was found majorly the bird
species of total 145 individuals of
Indian Silver Bill, 98 of Purple Sunbird, 89 of Red Vented Bulbul and Jungle Babbler, 77 of Rose Ringed
Parakeet and 77 of Green Bee-eater (Table 1 and Fig. 4).
Figure 3: Family wise
checklist of Bird species
Table 1: Checklist of availability of avifauna in the OCP Chhal
S.N
|
Common Name
|
Local Name
|
Scientific Name
|
Family
|
Total
|
|
Greater
Spotted Eagle
|
---
|
Clanga clanga
|
Accipitridae
|
01
|
|
Shikra
|
Cheel
|
Accipiter badius
|
03
|
|
Blyth
Reed Warbler
|
---
|
Acrocephalus dumetorum
|
Acrocephalidae
|
14
|
|
Sulphur-Bellied
Warbler
|
---
|
Phylloscopus griseolus
|
10
|
|
Singing
Bush Lark
|
---
|
Mirafra javanica
|
Alaudidae
|
07
|
|
Common
Kingfisher
|
Kilkila
|
Alcedo atthis
|
Alcedinidae
|
04
|
|
White
Throated Kingfisher
|
Kilkila
|
Halcyon smyrnensis
|
04
|
|
Bar
Headed Goose
|
---
|
Anser indicus
|
Anatidae
|
08
|
|
Common
Pochard
|
---
|
Aythya ferina
|
03
|
|
Common
Teal
|
---
|
Anas crecca
|
06
|
|
Cotton
Teal
|
---
|
Nettapus coromandelianus
|
06
|
|
Gadwall
|
---
|
Mareca strepera
|
07
|
|
Lesser
Whistling Duck
|
---
|
Dendrocygna javanica
|
06
|
|
Red
Crested Pochard
|
---
|
Netta rufina
|
06
|
|
Spot
Bill Duck
|
---
|
Anas poecilorhyncha
|
05
|
|
Little
Swift
|
---
|
Apus affinis
|
Apodidae
|
09
|
|
Cattle
Egret
|
Gay Bagula
|
Bubulcus ibis
|
Ardeidae
|
10
|
|
Indian
Pond Heron
|
bakli
|
Ardeola grayii
|
23
|
|
Little
Bittern
|
---
|
Ixobrychus minutus
|
07
|
|
Little
Egret
|
Kokda
|
Egretta garzetta
|
20
|
|
Great
Thick Knee
|
---
|
Esacus recurvirostris
|
Burhinidae
|
06
|
|
Long
tailed Minivet
|
|
Pericrocotus ethologus
|
Campephagidae
|
01
|
|
Small
Minivet
|
---
|
Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
|
08
|
|
Red
Wattled Lapwing
|
---
|
Vanellus indicus
|
Charadriidae
|
10
|
|
Yellow
Wattled lapwing
|
---
|
Vanellus malabaricus
|
08
|
|
Blue-Winged
Leaf Bird
|
---
|
Chloropsis cochinchinensis
|
Chloropseidae
|
01
|
|
Jungle
Prinia
|
---
|
Prinia sylvatica
|
Cistacolidae
|
03
|
|
Ashy
Prinia or ashy wren-warbler
|
---
|
Prinia socialis
|
20
|
|
Common
Tailor Bird
|
---
|
Orthotomus sutorius
|
07
|
|
Plain
Prinia
|
---
|
Prinia inornata
|
04
|
|
Eurasian
Collared Dove
|
Padki
|
Streptopelia decaocto
|
Columbidae
|
20
|
|
European
Turtle Dove
|
Padki
|
Streptopelia turtur
|
|
|
Feral
Pigeon
|
Kabutar
|
Columba livia domestica
|
07
|
|
Indian
Spotted Dove
|
Padki
|
Streptopelia chinensis
|
24
|
|
Laughing
Dove
|
Padki
|
Spilopelia senegalensis
|
40
|
|
Oriental
Turtle Dove
|
---
|
Streptopelia orientalis
|
05
|
|
Spotted
Dave
|
---
|
Streptopelia chinensis
|
|
|
Yellow-Footed
Green Pigeon
|
Kabootar
|
Treron phoenicoptera
|
02
|
|
Indian
Roller
|
Nilkanth
|
Coracias benghalensis
|
Coraciidae
|
49
|
|
House
Crow
|
Kauaa
|
Corvus splendens
|
Corvidae
|
02
|
|
Jungle
Crow
|
Koua
|
Corvus culminatus
|
10
|
|
Rufous
Tree Pie
|
---
|
Dendrocitta vagabunda
|
14
|
|
Asian
Koel
|
Koel, Cuckoo
|
Eudynamys scolopacea
|
Cuculidae
|
06
|
|
Common
Hawk Cuckoo
|
Cheel
|
Hierococcyx varius
|
02
|
|
Greater Coucal
|
Koyal
|
Centropus sinensis
|
20
|
|
Indian
Cuckoo
|
---
|
Cuculus micropterus
|
06
|
|
Sirkeer Malkoha
|
---
|
Taccocua leschenaultii
|
01
|
|
Thick
Billed Flower Pecker
|
---
|
Dicaeum agile
|
Dicaeidae
|
06
|
|
Ashy
Drongo
|
---
|
Dicrurus leucophaeus
|
01
|
|
Black
Drongo
|
Karraua
|
Dicrurus macrocercus
|
Dicruridae
|
60
|
|
Indian
Silver Bill
|
---
|
Euodice malabarica
|
Estrildidae
|
145
|
|
Red
Avadavat
|
---
|
Amandava amandava
|
01
|
|
Scaly
Breasted Munia
|
---
|
Lonchura punctulata
|
55
|
|
White-Rumped
Munia
|
---
|
Lonchura striata
|
11
|
|
Indian
Courser
|
---
|
Cursorius coromandelicus
|
Glareolidae
|
15
|
|
Barn
Swallow
|
---
|
Hirundo rustica
|
Hirundinidae
|
15
|
|
Bronze-Winged
Jacana
|
---
|
Metopidius indicus
|
Jacanidae
|
12
|
|
Brown
Shrik
|
---
|
Lanius cristatus
|
Laniidae
|
02
|
|
Long
Tailed Shrik
|
---
|
Lanius schach
|
03
|
|
Jungle
Babbler
|
Satbhaiya
|
Argya striata
|
Leiothrichidae
|
89
|
|
Common
Babbler
|
---
|
Argya caudata
|
26
|
|
Copper
Smith Barbet
|
---
|
Psilopogon haemacephalus
|
Megalaimidae
|
08
|
|
Green
Bee Eater
|
Patinga
|
Merops orientalis
|
Meropidae
|
69
|
|
Asian
Paradise Flycatcher
|
---
|
Terpsiphone paradisi
|
Monarchidae
|
03
|
|
Paddy
Field Pipit
|
---
|
Anthus rufulus
|
Motacillidae
|
08
|
|
Asian
Brown Flycatcher
|
---
|
Muscicapa dauurica
|
Muscicapidae
|
01
|
|
Black
Redstart
|
---
|
Phoenicurus ochruros
|
01
|
|
Indian
Robin
|
Chirak
|
Saxicoloides fulicatus
|
38
|
|
Oriental
Magpie Robin
|
---
|
Copsychus saularis
|
13
|
|
Verditer
Flycatcher
|
---
|
Eumyias thalassinus
|
02
|
|
Crimson
Backed sunbird or Small Sunbird
|
---
|
Leptocoma minima
|
Nectariniidae
|
01
|
|
Purple
Sun Bird
|
---
|
Nectarania asiaticus
|
98
|
|
Black
Headed Oriole
|
---
|
Oriolus larvatus
|
Oriolidae
|
03
|
|
Eurasian
Golden Oriole
|
---
|
Oriolus oriolus
|
20
|
|
Indian
Golden oriole
|
---
|
Oriolus kundoo
|
04
|
|
House
Sparrow
|
Gouriaya
|
Passer domesticus
|
Passeridae
|
10
|
|
Greater
Cormorant
|
---
|
Phalacrocorax carbo
|
Phalacrocoracidae
|
18
|
|
Little
Cormorant
|
---
|
Microcarbo niger
|
38
|
|
Common
quail
|
Titar
|
Coturnix coturnix
|
Phasianidae
|
06
|
|
Grey
Francolin
|
---
|
Francolinus pondicerianus
|
05
|
|
Jungle
Bush Quail
|
Titar
|
Perdicula asiatica
|
03
|
|
Rain
Quail
|
Quail
|
Coturnix coromandelica
|
03
|
|
Greenish
Warbler
|
---
|
Phylloscopus trochiloides
|
Phylloscopidae
|
16
|
|
Greater
Flame Back Woodpecker
|
Katpodva
|
Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
|
Picidae
|
06
|
|
Indian
Pygmy Woodpecker
|
---
|
Yungipicus nanus
|
01
|
|
Black-rumped
Flame Back
|
---
|
Dinopium benghalense
|
02
|
|
Indian
Pitta
|
---
|
Pitta brachyura
|
Pittidae
|
01
|
|
Baya
Weaver
|
Gauraiya
|
Ploceus philippinus
|
Ploceidae
|
15
|
|
Alexandrine
Parakeet
|
Parrot, Tota
|
Psittacula eupatria
|
Psittacidae
|
22
|
|
Plum
Headed Parakeet
|
Tota/Sua
|
Psittacula cyanocephala
|
60
|
|
Rose
Ringed Parakeet
|
Tota/Sua
|
Psittacula krameri
|
Psittaculidae
|
77
|
|
Vernal
Hanging Parrot
|
---
|
Loriculus vernalis
|
23
|
|
Red
Vented Bulbul
|
Fikkadlow
|
Pycnonotus cafer
|
Pycnonotidae
|
89
|
|
Common
Moorhen
|
---
|
Gallinula chloropus
|
Rallidae
|
04
|
|
Eurasian
Coot
|
---
|
Fulica atra
|
06
|
|
Common
Sandpiper
|
---
|
Actitis hypoleucos
|
Scolopacidae
|
23
|
|
Indian
Nuthatch
|
---
|
Sitta castanea
|
Sittidae
|
01
|
|
Horned
Owl
|
Ullu
|
Bubo virginianus
|
Strigidae
|
01
|
|
Spotted
Owl
|
Ullu
|
Strix occidentalis
|
02
|
|
Bank
Myna
|
Myna
|
Acridotheres ginginianus
|
Sturnidae
|
01
|
|
Bramhiny
Myna
|
Maina
|
Sturnia pagodarum
|
12
|
|
Common
Myna
|
Salhai/myna
|
Acridotheres tristis
|
46
|
|
Jungle
Myna
|
Maina
|
Acridotheres fuscus
|
02
|
|
Indian
Barn Owl
|
---
|
Tyto alba
|
Tytonidae
|
05
|
|
Eurasian
Hoopoe
|
---
|
Upupa epops
|
Upupidae
|
06
|
|
Oriental
White Eye
|
---
|
Zosterops palpebrosus
|
Zosteropidae
|
05
|
Total
|
1653
|
Figure 4: Species abundance of
avifauna
Conclusion
The surface mining activity
occurring in the area has negatively affected the richness and abundance of
bird species. The three seasonal surveys, winter season surveys outputs highest
populations of birds during the study. This study reveals that the most of the
avifauna presence in the study site is in winter season. The result indicates
the rich diversity and abundance of birds from observed seasonal variation of
the study area. These result indicate that mining and its associated activities
have
some impacts like habitat loss on the diversity and distribution of birds in
the study area. The increment of mining and other developmental activities associated
with it, in present situation has worsened, which will further enhance the rate
of habitat disruption and their avifaunal diversity. The seasonal variations
have been observed in the species composition and diversity of birds in open
cast project Chhal, Dharamjaigarh Forest Division of Chhattisgarh. Education
and outreach activities such as bird watching events to aware the people on importance of bird communities, would be
crucial for conserving the habitat and avian diversity in the landscape.
Acknowledgement
Authors
thank Open Cast Project Chhal, South Eastern Coalfield Limited, (Coal India
Limited) Raigarh Officers for providing fund and logistic support during study
period. Authors also thank Divisional Forest Officers Dharamjaigarh and Mr.
Amit Kumar Baghel, Mr. Kamlesh Kumar Dadsena, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Toppo, Mr.
Jeevan Shirin Toppo, and Mr. Ashutosh Pandey (Ex-SRF), State Forest Research
and Training Institute, Raipur Chhattisgarh.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors
declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of
this paper.
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