DEMOGRAPHY AND AVIAN DIVERSITY AROUND PILANA POND ASOP – A NATURAL WETLAND IN BHOPALGARH (JODHPUR)

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for some months or some periods. In other words, A wetland is a distinct ecosystem, which is flooded by rainy water either seasonally or permanent for months or years. So, migratory birds attracted toward wetlands after rainy season because it fulfilled with water and provide suitable habitat. A freshwater wetland is Pilana pond (Asop) in Bhopalgarh, Jodhpur, which having good sources of food for herbivore or carnivore or omnivore types of Avifauna or migratory birds, resultant good Avian diversity found at Pilana pond in the year from 2019-20 to 2021-2022. This pond is located at the Latitude coordinates 26°79′N and 73°53′E. There were seventeen migratory bird species observed at this pond during above period, which are belonging to various families like Anatidae, Recurvirostridae, Podicipedidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Rallidae, Threskiornithidae, Scolopacidae, Ardeidae, Alcedinidae along with the resident birds. Among these the dominant family is Anatidae or ducks.