Avian Biodiversity of Newly Established Bunjosa Game Reserve, District Poonch, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan: Implications for Conservation

Abstract

Bunjosa game reserve lies in district Poonch of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. This game reserve is newly established so, avian fauna of this area was unexplored yet, so the present study was undertaken to determine the avian biodiversity, residential status and ecological threats. The findings of the bird’s surveys undertaken from October 2015 to November 2016. A total of n 3137 birds belonging to 108 species, 25 families and 11 orders were identified with highest numbers in summer (n1148) and lowest in winter (n415). The seasonal Shannon Wiener diversity index was highest in summer (4.3), followed by autumn (3.99), winter (3.64) and spring (3.58), likewise the family wise diversity index was maximum for family Corvidae (0.26) and minimum for Remizidae, Phasianidae and Alcedinidae (0.006) respectively. The research findings revealed that habitat fragmentation and clearance through extensive deforestation, forest fires, livestock grazing, and collection of fire woods are recorded as the major threats to the avifauna. Development of conservation and management plan will be helpful in protecting the avian biodiversity and ecosystem of the game reserve.