A preliminary assessment of avifaunal diversity in and around Sarojini Naidu College campus, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Abstract

Birds are highly diverse and conspicuous biota of the ecosystem. They act as potential bio-indicators and ideal models for predicting environmental changes. Owing to habitat destruction for progressive urbanization and unscientific management of natural resources, much of our native birds are facing threat. The objective of the present survey is focused on the assessment of the avifaunal diversity with vegetation composition of habitat and conservation priorities in the study area. A total of 45 species of birds under 25 families and 41 genera were recorded during September, 2013 to June, 2014 in the Sarojini Naidu College campus, Dum Dum, Kolkata. The avian species richness was highest for the order Passeriformes followed by Pelicaniformes and the rest 10 orders. Human interference, developmental activities, sound pollution, feral dogs and trimming of plants during breeding season were identified as some of the threats to avifaunal diversity in the college campus. This study is aimed towards contributing to the plan of biodiversity restoration in our campus and development of management strategies so as to ensure sustenance of birds and ecosystem services derived from them.