Wetland birds community of beeshazari and associated lakes Ramsar site, chitwan

Abstract

Wetland birds are the indicator of wetland habitat. The study entitled “WETLAND BIRDS COMMUNITY OF BEESHAZARI AND ASSOCIATED LAKES RAMSAR SITE, CHITWAN” was carried out during the period of October 2007 to July 2008 to assess seasonal diversity, habitat association and conservation threats. The direct count method using vantage points (n=15) was done to asses the species richness. Questionnaire survey was done to collect primary field data related to threats. Diversity data were analysed in terms Shanon’s index of diversity, Sorenson’s smilarity index and Chi Square test was employed to test the divesity of birds in different season. The secondary information was collected through literature. During the study period 19 species of bird representing 11 families and 3 orders were recorded. The highest number individuals of birds were recorded in the winter season (345) and followed by autumn season (167). The diversity of birds was found highest in winter (1.806) in Beesh Hazari Taal but in its associated lakes diversity was highest in summer (1.92). The similarity index was 64.28 between Beesh Hazari and its associated lakes. The result showed that the species richness was not affected by seasons. Carnivores represented highest number of bird species followed by piscivores. Most of the wetland species were found in perennial lake than in seasonal marshes. Major conservation threats found were human pressure, siltation and sedimentation, fishing and poisoning, tourism and tourist activities and invasive alien’s species. Restoration of the wetland habitat must be done by irrigation and awarering the people about the importance of wetland is crucial for conservation.

Key words: Wetland birds, diversity, habitat, threats