A preliminary survey on the avian community of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Jharkhand, India

Abstract

Dalma Wildlife sanctuary is a high altitude protected area and 3000 ft) in the state of Jharkhand (India) where surveys have been conducted from 2006 to 2008 for monitoring avifauna. Four permanent transects of 2km length and 100m width were used at four different sites within the sanctuary to determine species richness. Five permanent sampling points were established in each transect and a distance of 100m was maintained between them. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was calculated for each site. Similarity between sites was determined by Sorensen’s index while differences between them in terms of species richness and diversity value were determined with the help of one-way analysis of variance. A total of 71 species belonging to 57 genera and 36 families were identified. Species richness and diversity were similar among sites in a particular season (ANOVA p and 0.05), however, bird species richness and abundance showed significant variation among seasons with a peak during the monsoons. Due to the presence of nearby tourist spots, the sanctuary is now facing various threats in terms of conservation issues. The conservation values of the Dalma Wildlife sanctuary in protecting endemic and threatened avifauna are briefly discussed and certain suggestions have been made on the basis of the present investigation for habitat improvement and eco-tourism.