Significance of wetland and it’s dependent Avifauna in Bangoli Wetland Complex, Raipur District, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

The Bangoli complex of wetlands is situated in central region of Chhattisgarh.  This   region is part of the Mahanadi river basin and is predominantly a plain area with the good number of tanks and village ponds. The geography of the area is mainly plains dotted with wetlands and sparse trees, thereby attracting both resident and migratory species. The aim of this study was to determine the avian diversity and composition in this complex, as no previous specific study was found undertaken, The available studies were either for specific species or covered   the whole of the state. Our study spanned from the year   2015 to 2021. During the period the complex was visited intermittently covering all seasons and using standard methodology for observation and documentation, covering wetlands and their surroundings. This study area of the Bangoli complex comprised of five major wetlands and five smaller tanks, all situated within the area of about 20 sq km.. Our study revealed the presence of 293 species belonging to 20 orders and 69 families. The encountered species were categorized in Occurrence status as Resident (R)171  and Migratory(M) 122  in numbers respectively; Passerby  mainly coastal species in Autumn and Spring seasons, Habitat used like Aquatic(A), Near Aquatic(NA)(Shore) , Grass and Arboreal (GA), Himalayan and sub-Himalayan species and Important Nesting species. Study also revealed presence of four new species unreported from central region. Also, 11 Threatened species as per Birdlife International- IUCN (2020) were identified in categories EN – 1, VU – 4, NT – 6.   These wetlands are subjected to  threats of the killing by snares and traps  particularly in the winter season, commercial exploitations like fishing, cultivation , amusement, fodder collection and grazing,. The destruction of habitats caused by stone quarries and crushers, felling of trees are of another major concern.