Avifaunal diversity of ‘Samaguri beel’, Nagaon district with special reference to the ‘water-birds’ Chiranjib Bora 1 , Queen Saikia 2 , Suranjan Bhowal 3 1 B.Sc. 3 rd sem. Student of ADP College,Nagaon (Zoology Dept.) 2 M.Sc. Gauhati University (Zoology Dept.) 3 Associate professor of ADP College,Nagaon (Zoology Dept.) Abstract: The present study deals with the avian diversity with special reference to the water-birds of Samaguri beel located near Nagaon town in Nagaon district of Assam. We surveyed the beel for a period of 1 and half years starting from January 2016 to May 2017. Data were collected using line transect and point transect method. A total of 30 species of water birds belonging to 13 families were identified. During the study we found 2 near threatened species and 1 globally threatened species, 8 winter migrant and other 22 are residential species. Of these 15 species are carnivorous, 10 species are omnivorous, 3 species are insectivorous and 2 species are picivorous. The study also shows variation in the diversity of the water-birds. It was also observed that the ongoing anthropogenic disturbances have greatly affected the Samaguri beel’s once rich avian fauna. Therefore, keeping the above facts in mind the study was conducted to list the important migratory or residential, threatened water bird species and the affects of habitat degradation on the surviving water-bird species of the beel so that a long term conservative programmes can be adopted in order to save both Samaguri beel and its rich avian fauna for our generation. Introduction : Wetlands are a part of vast aquatic ecosystem, that plays a vital role on biogeochemical cycle of the entire earth which affect the composition of the atmosphere, the climate & the hydrological cycle. Wetlands have great importance from a socio-economic, biological, ecological as well as aesthetic view point. Rightly called as ‘Nature’s Kidney’ (James 1995). The wetlands are among the most important ecosystem on planet earth. Wetlands are transitional or ecotonal zones between permanently aquatic & dry terrestrial ecosystems. They provide habitat for flora and fauna in order to maintain biological and genetic diversity. There are 3,500 wetlands in Assam , according to satellite data the wetlands are commonly known as ‘Beels’. They act as ideal natural habitat for both migratory and residential bird species. The wetlands are also home to hundreds of aquatic animal such as reptile, pisces, amphibians etc. It might be a better choice of these wetlands to be converted into wildlife conservation, locations avian parks, birds sanctuaries and may be centre promoting ecotourism. The ‘Beels’ of Assam are generally considered as fish granary of the state. The physico-chemical characteristics of water and soil of these ‘Beels’ are very favourable for fish & avian growth. There are many avian species migrate to the wetlands and utilize the shallow nutrient rich water, particularly planktonic food of the ‘Beels’ and fish of that particular beel. So, they act as both feeding and breeding ground for both migratory as well as residential avian fauna.
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Avifaunal diversity of ‘Samaguri beel’, Nagaon district with special
