Avifauna richness and abundance of Chhal Coal mining area under Dharamjaigarh Forest Division

Abstract

Opencast mining is one of the significant factors responsible for the destruction of natural habitats for many wildlife including birds. In the present time as the mining activities are increasing, the ecological niche of birds is being disrupted. So, this analysis was done to assess the effect of mining and associated activities on the diversity and distribution of birds. The study site disturbed by the coal mining activity and was very less suitable for avifauna. A total of 1653 individual of 106 bird species belonging to 49 families were recorded in study area. Seasonal surveys, the avifauna populations have been recorded which are as; Summer season survey, total 405 individuals of 61avifauna species; Winter season survey, total 776 individuals of 89 avifauna species; and in Autumn season survey, 472 individuals of 50 avifauna species were recorded. The result indicates the rich diversity and abundance of birds from observed seasonal variation of the study area. In conclusion, mining and its associated activities do affect the diversity and distribution of birds in OCP Chhal Dharamjaigarh Forest Division.