Insight into Wetland Winter Migratory Avian Biodiversity in Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana State in India

Abstract

Hathnikund is a place in Yamunanagar District in Haryana where Yamuna Rivers forms a sort of Lake over raised plinth after descending into plains from Himalayas nearby Ponta Sahib town near Haryana-Himachal Border. At the same time, Tajewala Barrage is one more pool like scenic place where waters of Western Yamuna Canal are collected by Govt. of Haryana for subsequent multipurpose. In the present studies, wetland bird’s diversity of Hathnikund has been recorded, analyzed and interpreted. The studies were conducted for a period of three years (September 2005-March 2008) during winter season only. The present studies revealed that in all 47 species of wetland birds belonging to 9 orders and 13 families were observed during September 2005-March 2011. Out of these 47 species of wetland birds, 26 species were Winter Migratory, 13 Resident and 9 species were Local Migratory. In so far as Abundance Status is concerned, 26 species of birds were Common, Nine species were UnCommon, Seven Species of birds were Very Common and five species were Rare. Truely winter migratory birds observed belong to Orders, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes and Chardriiformes. Prominent migratory birds include, amongst others, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Brahminy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Gadwall Anas strepera, Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Red-crested Pochard Rhodonessa rufina, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula which come to Hathini Kund during winter from far off places like Russia, Siberia, South and East Asia, China and Caspian region. It is recommended that Hathnikund be further promoted as Winter Halting Place for migratory birds by adding islands within the Water Sheet, the construction of wide margins on the peripheral zones and a rich canopy of endemic trees by implanted in plenty. It is further recommended that Eco-tourism facilities be generated at Hathnikund, linking biodiversity with society’s economic upliftment, employment and awareness. It is also recommended that Fish angling sport can be an added attraction to Bird Watching. In correlation with mystery-wrapped natural ambiences of Hathnikund, it can be sold to tourists of foreign origin thus generating exchange earning facility. As of today, no body known about Hathnikund except amateur bird watchers who turn out to be tourists too, if appropriate lodging boarding facilities are available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v5i1.5953 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.5(1) 2011 39-43

Understanding and Analysing the Coordinates of Diversity of Wetland Birds of Asan Barrage near Paonta Sahib, Northern India

“…However, in village, namely, Kunjpura, where a very large pond of deep waters is available at a distance of 4-5 km from Yamuna in Karnal, Rudy Shelduck was seen in impressive manner. As such present study revealed that Rudy Shelduck has a penchant for river water and stays away from traditional rural ponds (Gupta and Kaushik, 2011) (Gupta et al, 2009;2010 a-b;Gupta and Kaushik, 2010a-e).…”

“…It is evident from figure 4 that out of 60 species of wetland birds observed from Asan Barrage, 31 species of wetland birds were winter migratory and 9 species of birds were Local Migratory. It is crucial to mention that Gupta and Kaushik (2011) reported 47 species of wetland birds from Hathinikund Barrage in Yamunanagar district in Haryana. Also, Tak et al (2010) observed 31 species of wetland birds from the Hathinikund Barrage in Yamunanagar district in Haryana.…”

Discussing implications of fast depleting rural ponds on the globally threatened wetland winter migratory bird in Haryana: a Case Study of Nigdu village pond in Karnal District

“…These awesome journeys are performed by Arctic Terns Sterna paradisaea, ter visiting wetland birds in rural village ponds [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. Associated studies on varied aspects of field ornithology have also been done in Haryana [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

Description Of Avian Bio-Diversity Of Damdamma Jheel In Gurgaon District In Haryana, India

“…In 1991, Damdamma Saras resort was built by Haryana Tourism department. It is pertinent to mention that wetland birds in Haryana have been studied by Gupta and Kaushik [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]; Gupta et al [9][10][11] and Gupta et al (12)(13)(14)(15)(16). No one has focused attention on avian biodiversity of Damdamma Jheel in India and hence the present studies.…”

“…At the same time, White-necked Stork, Oriental White Ibis and Painted Storks were observed rarely. Regular winter migratory birds seen in winter include Asian Open-bill Stork Anastomus oscitans, Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal Anas crecca, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Gadwall Anas strepera, Spot-billed Duck Anas poecilorhyncha, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus, White-tailed Lapwing Vanellus leucurus, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola, Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos, White Wagtail Motacilla alba and Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava.It is interesting to note that Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Pochard, Mallard, Garganey, Pallas's Gull and Black-headed Gull sighted elsewhere in Northern Haryana[8][9] are seldom sighted in Damdamma Lake in winter season in southern Haryana. Little Egrets, Pond Herons, Egrets, Black winged Stilts, Red-wattled Lapwing (in plenty) are seen regularly.…”