Evaluation Of Habitat And Avian Diversity Of Migratory Birds At Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that support diverse biological communities and provide essential habitats for numerous avian species. Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary (formerly Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary), a Ramsar-designated wetland in Uttar Pradesh, serves as an important habitat for resident and migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway (CAS). This study assessed the status of avian diversity and evaluated the ecological condition of the wetland ecosystem through systematic field investigations conducted over a year, supported by records from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and relevant secondary sources. Avian diversity, habitat characteristics, and selected physicochemical parameters, including temperature, turbidity, pH, and nitrate and phosphate concentrations, were analyzed to understand their relationship with bird distribution and abundance. The sanctuary supports more than 250 bird species (U.P. Ecotourism Board), with prominent representation from families such as Anatidae, Ardeidae, and Rallidae, and migratory waders of the order Charadriiformes. Seasonal variations in avian composition and abundance are influenced by multiple ecological factors, including environmental cues, climatic conditions, food availability, and habitat suitability. Despite its ecological importance, wetlands are experiencing increasing pressure from altered hydrological conditions, irregular rainfall patterns, invasive species proliferation, agricultural runoff-induced eutrophication, tourism-related disturbances, and human–wildlife interactions. These factors contribute to habitat degradation and may influence the migratory patterns and population trends of ecologically sensitive bird groups. The findings highlight the importance of avian diversity as an indicator of wetland health and emphasize the need for integrated conservation approaches, continuous ecological monitoring, habitat restoration, and sustainable management practices involving both institutional frameworks and local communities to maintain the ecological integrity of this wetland ecosystem.