Diversity and Conservation of Avian Fauna in Daphar Forest Sanctuary, Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan

Biodiversity is representative of a healthy ecosystem. Anthropogenic activities, including habitat degradation, hunting, and fragmentation, are major circumstances which results in species extinction. The present study was conducted to explore avian fauna and role of Daphar Forest Sanctuary, Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan, in its conseration. Study was carried out for 12 months, and 12 visits were made during 1st January 2020 – 31st December 2020. The visits were paused during periods of rain or high wind. Sampling was done by direct count method. A total of 2999 avian population were observed during the study. An overall population was composed of 12 orders, 20 families, 28 genera, and 32 species. Relative Abundance was calculated highest for family Sturnidae, 12.94% (N = 388) of birds, and order Passerine 54.95% (N = 1648). Simpson Diversity index (SDI) value was 0.95, Shannon Weiner Diversity Index value was 3.224 that, showed high diversity of avian fauna. However, evenness was 0.78, which showed an even distribution was found among birds population. It was noticed that Sanctuary faces drastic pollution which results in complications for the native wildlife. It was concluded scientific activities and researches were legalized in the respective wildlife sanctuary so that more information is gathered about the wildlife thriving in these areas.