International Research Journal of Environment Sciences________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414Vol. 2(11), 9-12, November (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 9 Checklist of Birds in and Around Ansupa Lake, Odisha, IndiaRudra Narayan Pradhan1*, Udit Pratap Das, Rajesh Kumar Mohapatra and Arun Kumar Mishra4 RCCF office, Angul, Odisha, INDIABJB Autonomous College, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, INDIAUtkal University, Vani vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, INDIAAthagarh Division, Cuttack, Odisha, INDIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in, www.isca.me Received 7th August 2013, revised 3rd September 2013, accepted 19th October 2013 AbstractThe present study recorded 61 species of birds belonging to 27 family in a preliminary assessment of avifauna diversity in and around Ansupa lake, Odisha, India, between June 2011 and May 2013. The findings of the present study underline the importance of Ansupa lake as a preferred habitat for birds and provided baseline data about avifauna diversity of the lake to orient future research and management policies. Keywords: Birds, avifauna diversity, habitat. Introduction Birds play an important role in the ecosystem as a part of food web, as potential pollinators and bio-indicators1,2. Wetlands are important bird habitats and birds use them for feeding, roosting, nesting and rearing young2,3,4. In the state Odisha of India there are two wetlands of international importance (Ramsar sites), e.g. Chilika lagoon and Bhittarkanika wildlife sanctuary. Besides these, there are other wetlands of National importance e.g. Kanjia lake at Nandankanan wildlife sanctuary at Khurda district and of regional importance, e.g. Ansupa lake at Cuttack district. No systematic documentation of the avifaunal diversity of Ansupa lake is available despite of its importance as a nesting and migration site for many bird species. The present study enlists the birds sighted in and around Ansupa lake, Odisha, India during study period. Study Site: Ansupa lake, is the largest freshwater lake in the state Odisha. Its typical lacustrine eco-system spreading over an area of 382 acres is situated in Cuttack district of Odisha within 20 26’ 28.43” to 20 28’ 34.44” Latitude and 85 35’ 56.74” to 85 36’ 30.01” Longitude. The surrounding region is broadly undulating plain with isolated hill range such as Saranda (124 m) on the west, Bishnupur (65 m) on the east Dhangarh (160m) on the north and Betla pahara (105 m) on the northwest and dissected valleys. The lake is connected with Mahanadi in its southern side with a channel known as Kabula nala through which flood water of Mahanadi enters the lake. The length of Ansupa lake is about three kilometers and breadth varies from 250 m to 500 m. The temperature of the area ranges between19-37°C during the study period. The south west monsoon brings most of the rain to the area between June and October. The major portion of the lake remains submerged throughout the year. During rainy season the water level raises up to 1-2.5 meters. Systematic checklist of birds of the Ansupa lake is lacking. Therefore the present study intended to enlist the avifauna found in and around this wetland. MethodologyAvifauna of the water bodies of Ansupa lake (figure 1) and adjacent areas within 0.5 kilometre periphery were surveyed 29 times between on June, 2011 and May, 2013. Observations were carried out on fixed path using line transect method in early morning, i.e., 6:30am to 9:30am as counting birds should be carried out at the time of highest bird activity5,6. Birds were sighted by using binoculars and identification was done by using field guides7-10. Results and Discussion During the study period 61 species of birds, belonging to 27 families, were recorded. These birds include both wetland dependant birds and terrestrial birds. Family Ardeidae topped the list with eight bird species. A list of species of birds observed during the study is presented in Table 1. Common English names and scientific names were presented in the checklist following Ali (2002) and classification of family following Grimmett et al.. Among the 61 recorded species, 50 species of birds come under the protection category as per the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Except the species listed under family Charadriidae, Laridae, Accipitridae, Falconidae, Meropidae and Corvidae in the Table-1 all other species are protected as Schedule-IV species under Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The findings of the present study underline the importance of wetlands as a preferred habitat for birds. International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(11), 9-12, November (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 10 Table-1 Checklist of birds of Ansupa lake, Cuttack district, Odisha, India Family Common name Scientific name Anatidae Cotton pygmy goose Nettapus coromandelianus Lesser whistling duck Dendrocygna javanica Northern shoveller Anas clypeata Red crested pochard Rhodonessa rufina Brahminy shelduck Todorna ferruginea Ardeidae Black-crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax Black bittern Dupetor flavicollis Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Crestnut bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus Grey heron Ardea cinerea Median egret Mesophoyx intermedia Little egret Egretta garzetta Indian pond heron Ardeola grayii Purple heron Ardea purpurea Ciconidae Asian open-bill stork Anastomus oscitans Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala Charadriidae Red wattled Lapwing Vanellus indicus Little ringed plover Charadrius dubius Alcedinidae Small blue kingfisher Alcedo atthis Lesser pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis Stork-billed kingfisher Halcyon capensis White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Jacanidae Pheasant-tailed jacana Hydrophasianus Chirurgus Bronze-winged jacana Metopidius indicus Rallidae Purple moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus White-breasted waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus Common coot Fulica atra Phalacrocoracidae Little cormorant Phalacrocorax niger Indian shag Phalacrocorax fuscicollis Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Recurvirostridae Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus Scolopacidae Common sand piper Actitis hypoleucos Estrildidae Red munia Amandava amandava White rumped munia Lonchura striata Laridae River tern Sterna aurantia Accipitridae Black kite Milvus migrans Western marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus Black shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus Falconidae Red-headed falcon Falco chicquera Phasianidae Common quail Coturnix coturnix Dicruridae Black drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Nectariniidae Purple sunbird Nectarinia asiatica Purple rumped sunbird Nectarinia zeylonica Sturnidae Common myna Acridotheres tristis Asian Pied starling Sturnus contra Brahminy starling Sturnus pagodarum Muscicapidae Oriental magpie robin Copsychus saularis Timaliidae Jungle babbler Turdoides striatus Meropidae Small bee-eater Merops orientalis Blue tailed bee-eater Merops philippinus International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(11), 9-12, November (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 11 Chestnut headed bee-eater Merops leschenaulti Pycnonotidae Red whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Red vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Strigidae Spotteed owlet Athene brama Ramphastidae Brown-headed barbet Megalaima zeylanica Columbidae Spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis Little brown dove Streptopelia senegalensis Corvidae Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos Motacillidae Paddy field pipit Anthus rufulus Figure-1 Location map of study area, Ansupa lake, Cuttack, Odisha, India Discussion: This study provides a baseline data of the avian diversity of Ansupa lake, therefore emphasizing on better management of the habitat and conservation of its rich avifaunal diversity. Further comprehensive studies on species richness and habitat preferences of species are needed for better orientation of management policies. Habitat degradation is today a major threat for avian species. The major threats faced by these birds were analyzed to be both environmental and anthropogenic. Environmental degradation like siltation, closure of inflow and outflow mechanism from Mahanadi into Ansupa reduced water spread area creating highly eutrophic condition of water and weed infestation. Anthropogenic activities include fishing, cattle grazing, fire wood collection, disturbances and pollution through tourism activities. Due to increased tourist activities, the fauna of the area faces stress because of intrusion, vehicular exhaust, lights, littering and noise. Management of Ansupa lake is being done by Chilika Development Authority (CDA) since November, 2009. Though some of the renovation initiatives of Ansupa by CDA and barren hill plantation initiative by Forest Department, Government of Odisha have taken place in the study area, much activities is International Research Journal of Environment Sciences______________________________________________ ISSN 2319–1414 Vol. 2(11), 9-12, November (2013) Int. Res. J. Environment Sci. International Science Congress Association 12 required to be done in recent future. To improve with the present state of lake, there is an acute need to recover the inflow and outflow mechanism between the Mahanadi and Ansupa. Conclusion Present study illustrates the importance of the area as a good habitat for avifauna. Sixty one species of birds, belonging to twenty seven families, were recorded during the study. Control of habitat destruction, exploitation of its wilderness, human interference and pollution by tourism can be helpful in conservation of these winged beauties. This requires planned management of eco tourism activity and maintenance of the Ansupa lake with an aim of conservation its native fauna. References 1.Amat J.A. and Green A.J., Waterbirds as Bioindicators of Environmental Conditions. Conservation Monitoring in Freshwater Habitats, Springer Netherlands, 45-52 (2010)2.Weller M.W., Wetland bird habitat resources and conservation implications. Press syndicate of the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 316 (1999)3.Aarif K.M. and Basheer M., The Water Birds of Mavoor Wetland, Kerala, South India World Journal of Zoology, 7 (2), 98-101 (2012)4.Stewart R.E., Technical Aspects of Wetlands -Wetlands as Bird Habitat. National Water Summary on Wetland Resources, United States Geological Survey, 86 (2001)5.Gaston A.J., Methods for estimating bird populations, Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 72(2), 272-281 (1973)6.Buckland S.T., Anderson D.R., Burnham K.P. and Laake J.L., Distance Sampling: Estimating the Abundance of Biological Populations. Chapman and Hall, London, (1993)7.Ali S. and Ripley S.D., Handbook of birds of India and Pakistan. Bombay Natural History Society, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, (1987) 8.Ali S., The Book of Indian Birds. (13th Edn.). Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai, (2002)9.Balachandran S., Sethiyaselvam and Panda S., Bird atlas of Chilika. Chilika Development Authority and Bombay Natural History Society, India, (2009) 10.Grimmett R., Inskipp C. and Inskipp T., Birds of the Indian subcontinent. Oxford University Press, New Delhi (2011)