Avian Diversity of Wetlands in and Around Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan - Aquatic Ecosystem: Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation - page 278

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Avian Diversity of Wetlands
in and Around Jodhpur,
Western Rajasthan

Himmat Singh

Abstract
Jodhpur is one of the erstwhile princely states of Marwar, Rajasthan,
considered as a “door” to The Great Indian Thar Desert. The ecological
conditions of this district have in the recent past been due to several anthro-
pogenic changes. Jodhpur exhibits wide variety of avian fauna native as
well as migratory. There has been a continuous increase in aggravation of
bird species which has increased from 125 species to 278. An ample water
supply in this area have changed overall ecological scenario of wetland
birds also, inlow of water through Indira Gandhi Canal have created
several wetlands from seasonal to perennial which in turn have attracted
several wetland species to this area. Urbanization changed the scrublands
into residential areas and gardens. Increase in mining activities has showed
negative impact on the diversity of species and their replacement.
The well-managed gardens have attracted several species, as a result of
which there is a considerable change in species composition of species.
The native fauna is declining and facing pressure of aggravation of
sympatric species competition.

Keywords
Biodiversity•Wetland•Speciesrichness•Alphadiversity

Introduction

of Rajasthan spreading around 22,850 km 2 .
Jodhpur was once capital of erstwhile state of
western Marwar is a door to the Great Indian
Thar Desert and contributes a considerable part
about 11.6 % of total area of arid zone of the
state. This region receives scanty rainfall between
103 and 640 mm averaging up to 279.40 mm
per annum with high temperature variation from
49 °C in summer to 2 °C in winters, very low
relative humidity and high wind velocity throughout

SituatedinextremewesternpartofIndiabetween
26° 00′ to 27° 37′ N and 72° 55′ to 73° 52′ E,
Jodhpur is second largest city in the Indian state

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