International Journal of Waste Resources

Abstract

Waste as a Resource for Avifauna: Review and Survey of the Avifaunal Composition in and around Waste Dumping Sites and Sewage Water Collection Sites (India)

Satya Prakash Mehra, Sarita Mehra, Mohib Uddin, Vikas Verma, Hrishika Sharma, Tehlu Singh, Gurpreet Kaur, Tasso Rimung and Himmat Ram Kumhar

Urbanization has lead to the challenge of waste disposal. The dumping sites are affecting the natural habitats in and around urban areas. The most eye catching group of animals, the birds had used these modified habitats. The reconnaissance surveys were conducted for eleven sites of the seven municipal areas Rajasthan and Punjab states of India to assess the avifaunal composition. The observations of bird species using modified habitats in form of solid and liquid (effluent/ sewage) waste sites were assessed. The dumping site at Mount Abu (Sirohi, Rajasthan) was no more in existence. Since authors were involved in studies since last two decades, therefore, past records were also included for such sites. It was observed that such sites of waste collection (solid and liquid) were harboring 100 species of birds with three additional species in past, accounting 103 bird species belonging to 37 families in 11 orders. Terrestrial species accounted 53 whereas wetland bird species were 37 species and 11 species were wetland dependent. Around 58 species were resident, 18 migrants and 27 species resident with local movements. Thirteen species of global interest were recorded from the sites. Three of these species were under critically endangered and were the past records. Two endangered species, one vulnerable species and seven near threatened species were recorded from the investigation sites. Sites of Udaipur and Bharatpur were having the maximum diversity of birds. Besides scavenger and raptors species, egrets and passerines were of common occurrence. It was observed that the sites were mainly used for the feeding purposes and if the surrounding habitats were used for the other life cycle processes by the birds. The dumping sites with the organic (biodegradable and animal) wastes could be prepared and further modified as per the nature’s rule to develop the birding sites for the species of global interest. The animal waste management through reviving bio-disposal mechanism through scavenger birds could be ideal model for revenue generation through birding.