Avian electrocution and power line collision in Putalibazar Municipality of Syangja District, Nepal

Abstract

Avian fauna refers to the different species of flying as well as flightless birds. A well developed

adaptation feature of avian species is that they have flight in short and long distances, and perch at different objects including twigs and power line. In spite of these adaptations, avian species are suffered from various threats due to different environmental and anthropogenic factors which may cause significant decline in their population. Among the various anthropogenic factors, the power lines become threats to the avian species mainly due to electrocution and power line collisions. However, the data on this threat on avian species are scarce, therefore, this study collected data on the highly affected bird species due to the power lines in the Putalibazar Municipality of Syangja district from November 2021 to May 2022 along the distribution line which runs through the agricultural land or forest or settlement area or river basin. Direct observation and questionnaire methods were used to collect data on power lines related avian mortality under 10 m circular radius around the poles in every 300 m interval. For the collision data, the carcasses of birds were sampled along the distribution line. Out of 43 avian victims, 26 were found dead due to electrocution in 15% (n = 18) of the plots. Among the affected avian species the House Crow (Corvus splendens) and Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) were the major victims. Seventeen individuals of six different species were recorded for collision out of which Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and House Swift (Apus nipalensis) were the major victims. The bird’s abundance, distance to agricultural lands and settlement were found to have a significant association with the power lines related avian mortality. Based on these data the policy makers can develop avian friendly power lines infrastructures and planning for their long term conservation.