Species Diversity and Conservation Status of Avifauna Around Kharung Dam, Ratanpur, District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Birds play a vital role in the ecosystem and have substantial ecological, economic, and aesthetic value. A survey of significant importance was conducted from June 2021 to May 2023, focusing on the avian fauna of the Kharung Dam. We recorded 140 bird species belonging to 15 orders and 40 families and prepared an inventory based on this two-year observation. The bird species richness was highest for the order Passeriformes, followed by Charadriiformes and Coraciiformes. Family Muscicapidae was the most diverse, followed by Charadriidae and Anatidae in the study area.  Among the 140 species recorded during the study, 01 species Aythya farina (Common pochard), was vulnerable, and 03 species, Ciconia episcopus (White-necked stork), Threskiornis melanocephalus (Oriental white ibis), Aythya nyroca (Ferruginous pochard) were near threatened, while the remaining 136 species were least concerned as per the IUCN Red List of 2023. Presently, literature in Chhattisgarh state reports consistent biodiversity loss in birds habituated. Therefore, our study focused on evaluating bird diversity and preparing a checklist to determine the occurrence of birds in the region and their status. This research will provide essential information for researchers to conserve and detrimental aspects related to avian studies in future.