COVID 19 LOCKDOWN AND THE DIVERSITY OF REPTILES, BIRDS AND MAMMALS: A HOME POINT STUDY FROM BANKURA MUNICIPALITY, WEST BENGAL

Reptiles, birds and mammals are the natural gene pool which contributes to the biodiversity of an area. The current study is aimed to prepare a baseline checklist of reptiles, birds, and mammal’s species from the home point. The COVID 19 lockdown situation provides a great opportunity to design such study. The lower level of water and air pollution, decrease in human interference gives a breathing space for wild life. The study was conducted for a period of six months (from May to October, 2020), which includes pre monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon periods. From this study 71 species of birds from 35 families was documented. Among them insectivorous is the largest group (36.6%). According to the residential status of the birds 83% are residential birds, 8.5% are local migrants and rest 8.5 % are winter migrants. This study has also identifies 9 wild mammals species of 7 families. 10 reptile species of 6 families were observed and among them two are deadly poisonous (Common krait, Indian cobra). A rapid urbanization and construction is now become a threat for these birds and animals. More environmental awareness, plantation of more fruiting plants is needed to maintain the biodiversity of this area.