Current World Environment

Avian Richness Analysis of Wadaj Dam and Ghod River Basin, India

Snehal Balasaheb Punde , Aparna Ashok Ghadi ^* and Manisha Nitin Kulkarni

¹ Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Dr. Homi Bhabha State University, Mumbai, Maharashtra India

Corresponding author Email: gdjalanag@gmail.com

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.20.2.28

Abstract

A study of avifaunal diversity was conducted at Wadaj Dam and the Ghod River basin in Pune district, Maharashtra, over the period from February 2023, to December 2024. In the present study, 107 avian species from 47 different groups were documented. The research primarily concentrated on assessing bird biodiversity and related ecological processes around the dam. Observations were consistent for resident species such as the Bubulcus ibis, Ceryle rudis, Ardeola grayii, and Halcyon smyrnensis, whereas migratory or seasonally present species, including the Pseudibis papillosa and Upupa epops, were documented during particular intervals. The substantial avian species richness in this area enhances the ecological significances of the Wadaj Dam and its surrounding habitats, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable development and conservation of the distinctive avian fauna. According to estimates, the encountered avifauna's Shannon-Weiner diversity index value was 3.09 in 2023 and 3.00 in 2024. A measure of variation that accounts for both evenness and richness is Simpson's Diversity Index. It has proven to be a helpful tool for comprehending the biodiversity profile throughout the study area. The anticipated diversity index value for avi-fauna encountered in 2023 and 2024 was 0.745. Bird densities in 2023 and 2024 were 4.9 and 4.7 birds per hectare, respectively.

Keywords

Avian richness; Bird diversity; Ghod river Basin; Junnar tehsil; Wadaj Dam

Copy the following to cite this article:

Punde S. B, Ghadi A. A, Kulkarni M. N. Avian Richness Analysis of Wadaj Dam and Ghod River Basin, India. Curr World Environ 2025;20(2). DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CWE.20.2.28

Copy the following to cite this URL:

Punde S. B, Ghadi A. A, Kulkarni M. N. Avian Richness Analysis of Wadaj Dam and Ghod River Basin, India. Curr World Environ 2025;20(2).

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