Bird habitats in Gosekhurd region of Godavari basin, across Wainganga river India

Abstract

Wainganga River valley of Eastern Vidarbha hosts major part of lush green landscape. Gosekhurd Dam (Indira Sagar) is one of the largest irrigation project of central India (JI00481) located 20.8738154°N 79.6081781°E near Pauni of Bhandara district, Maharashtra on Wainganga river. It is a good habitat for birds and herpetofauna biodiversity. Bird watching and recording were done from January 2014 to December 2017. 241 species belonging to 152 genera, 46 families and 17 orders (Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Falconiformes, Galliformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes, Cuculiformes, Strigiformes, Caprimulgiformes, Apodiformes, Coraciiformes, Piciformes and Passeriformes) were recorded. The order Passeriformes is the largest order belonging to 16 families and 90 bird species. Out of total bird species, 109 (45.23%) are resident, 95 (39.42%) are resident migrant and 37 (15.35%) are migratory species. Wainganga Valley is of critical importance for Maharashtra to preserve its forests, wildlife, and tribal population dependent on it. Present investigation carried out to prepare an inclusive checklist of bird species and their ecological status in the study area.