Effects of electromagnetic radiations on diversity and breeding biology of birds living near power lines and mobile towers at Ludhiana, Punjab

Abstract

Aim: Mobile towers and high voltage power transmission towers are ubiquitous in the developed world and in urban areas of many developing countries. The present study was undertaken to monitor relative abundance of avian species in relation to mobile towers and high voltage power transmission towers. Methodology: Point count method was used for the survey. The observations were recorded from January to December 2014 at selected eleven sites i.e., five in relation to mobile towers; five with respect to high voltage power transmission towers and one control site, respectively, at the campus of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Results: Species richness of 20, 27 and 36 bird species were observed at the selected sites near mobile towers, near high voltage power transmission towers and control site, respectively. The breeding success of Common Myna was 88.11 % in the artificial nests installed near mobile towers. Breeding success of 96.25 % and 83.33 % was recorded by Common Myna and Spotted Owlet in the artificial nests installed near high voltage power transmission towers. The breeding success of Common Myna and Spotted Owlet was 100.0% and 87.5% in artificial nests installed at control site. Interpretation: Preliminary findings of this study revealed that there was low bird abundance and breeding success near mobile towers and high voltage power transmission towers as compared to control site. It may be possible due to the clandestine effect of electromagnetic radiations along with the other unforeseen factors.