KU campus emerges as a birds’ paradise – Times of India

Recently a Comb duck with 15 ducklings was spotted in the backyard of Prof Brajesh Sawhney, a resident of the KU campus.

Last year also, this species of duck was spotted at the residence of Prof CR Jilowa at KU campus.
“KU has reserved 40 acres of forest on its campus by an order of its executive council (EC). This area along with the lush green campus with a large variety of trees, bushes, and other vegetation provides an ideal ecosystem for birds and other animal species to breed, grow and live,” said Prof Som Nath Sachdeva, KU vice-chancellor.

“This kind of high breeding success might be due to the favourable situation, habitat suitability and low threat of poaching to these bird species at KU campus,” said Deepak Rai Babbar, associate professor at the department of zoology, KU.

Babbar informed that the KU department of zoology is running an ornithological survey at the campus with the association of the students and colleagues since 2009 adding that one of colleague Parmesh Kumar has reported 92 bird species from the campus about 10 years ago.

“Our students in periodic yearly surveys reported approximately 130 bird species on campus and nearby areas. The main species of attraction at the campus are Laughing Dove, Jungle Babbler, Red-vented Bulbul, Wagtail, Common Myna, Grey Hornbill, Rufous Treepie, Black Kite, Brown-headed Barbet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Coppersmith Barbet, Robin, Jungle Crow, Common Moorhen, Greater Coucal, Black Drongo, Bluethroat, Purple Sunbird, Common Tailorbird, Indian Peafowl, Lapwing etc.,” said Babbar.

Babbar further observed, “The avian population in different ecosystems has become an effective element in protecting biodiversity and determining appropriate conservation activities. Birds are a structural part of the entire planet, key species in sustaining ecological equilibrium and are needed for human sustenance similar to other biotic components.”

“Avian species distribution patterns are determined by their mobility, habitat suitability, food availability. For the conservation of bird species, nowadays, urban areas and landscaping with plantations are playing an important role. In an urban ecosystem, university campuses are contributing significant role in avian diversity and their conservation”, further added Babbar.