Avifaunal Checklist of Oxygen Zone Forest, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
Gurprit Singh Bhatia *
Department of Zoology, Bharti Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India.
Munshi Lal Patel
Department of Zoology, Bharti Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India.
Tegveer Singh Bhatia
Department of Animation, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Birds are important components of forest ecosystems. They contribute to seed dispersal, pollination, insect population control, and ecological balance. The present study was conducted to document the avifaunal diversity of the ‘Oxygen Zone’ mini-forest area, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India, from June 2022 to May 2024. Fortnightly surveys were conducted using point-count observations and transect-based searches. Bird observations were made mainly during the morning and evening hours, when bird activity was generally high. Binoculars and a Canon EOS 1300D DSLR camera with a 250-mm lens were used for observation and photography. The checklist recorded 82 bird species belonging to 12 orders and 40 families. Passeriformes was the most represented order, comprising 50 species. Species were identified using standard ornithological field guides and online bird resources. The findings provide a baseline record of bird diversity in this forest patch and contribute to the limited site-specific information available for Rajnandgaon. Regional studies from other parts of Chhattisgarh demonstrate the value of local checklists for documenting bird communities and supporting conservation planning (Arjun et al., 2023; Bharos et al., 2023). Continued monitoring and protection of vegetation, nesting sites, and feeding areas are recommended to maintain the avifaunal diversity of Oxygen Zone Forest.
Keywords: Avifauna, bird diversity, checklist, oxygen zone forest, passeriformes, conservation