Present status of aquatic avifaunal diversity in Kapla wetland of Barpeta district, Assam
Abstract
A study was conducted in a flood plain wetland (Kapla) of Barpeta district, Assam from September, 2013 to May, 2014 to evaluate the present status and major threats to aquatic avifaunal diversity in the wetland. Periodic surveys were conducted in and around the wetland by walking on fixed path in the early morning from 5.30 am to 9.00 am. To locate and identify the distant birds, binocular (10X15) was used and photographs were taken with the aid of digital camera. Water birds were identified with the help of different field guides. The present status and IUCN status of all the birds were enumerated. A total of 30 water bird species under 14 families were observed in the wetland. As per IUCN status, 26 bird species are placed in Least Concern (LC), three species in Near Threatened (NT) and one species in the Vulnerable (VU) category. The observation also revealed 16 bird species as common (Cm), six species as Rare (Rr), five species as Lesser in number (Ln), two species as Irregular visitor (Ir) and one bird species found as Abundant (Ab) in and around the wetland. Anatidae was the dominant family with seven bird species (23.33%). The wetland faced various anthropogenic threats for which water birds are in decreasing trend by about 48% comparing to the earlier literature. Therefore it is suggested to declare the wetland as aquatic bird sanctuary to save the birds from extinction in the near future.
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