2016 pp. 1317-1320 Vol. 15 ISSN: 0972-6268 No. 4 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology An International Quarterly Scientific Journal Original Research Paper Avian Diversity: Environmental Health Index of Kurukshetra University M. B. Sharma*, R. K. Sharma**† and A. K. Goyal** *Department of Zoology, KVA DAV College for Women, Karnal-132 001, India| **Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra-136 119, India †Corresponding author: R. K. Sharma ABSTRACT A three year study on avian diversity and environmental health index was conducted in Kurukshetra University campus. The topography, flora and bird fauna was observed during the study period. University campus embodies diverse types of habitats including forest area, crop land, orchid, garden, marsh areas, urban and rural habitat with 40 acres of land as natural forest having endemic plants and tall trees. Total 72 bird species reported from campus belong to 14 different orders and 41 families. The bird fauna observed includes, Myna, Sparrow, Crow, Robin, Drongo, Tailorbird, Babbler, Sunbird, Green Bee-eater, Wagtail, Bulbul, Munia, Chiffchaff, Baya Weaver, Woodpecker, Barbet, Dove, Green Pigeon, Parrot, Peafowl, Koel, Cuckoo, Hawk, Darter, Kingfisher, Hoopoe, Hornbill, Lapwing, Stone Curlew, Cattle Egret, Waterhen, Moorhen, Kite and Shikra etc. To conserve the rich avian fauna of the campus, specific habitats need to be protected and awareness drive signifying the importance of avian fauna should be launched. Nat. Env. & Poll. Tech. Website: www.neptjournal.com Received: 06-01-2016 Accepted: 18-03-2016 Key Words: Environmental health Avian diversity Conservation Habitat INTRODUCTION Kurukshetra University is located in district Kurukshetra in the State Haryana. The campus of Kurukshetra University has a rich flora and fauna. The climatic conditions show variability according to seasonal changes. The climate is very hot in summer and remarkably cold in winter, with atmospheric temperature varying from 45°C in summer and 20°C in winter. The campus is surrounded by various habi- tats like wetlands, ponds and agricultural fields. The vari- able climate conditions and different kinds of habitats pro- vide a broad niche to avian fauna inhabiting in the campus. Birds and their diversity constitute a main part of the natural environment and play a functional role as agents of food chain (Nason 1992). Birds are good environmental indi- cators revealing the state of the ecosystems. Birds are the most important indicator of environmental health index be- cause they have highly specific habitat requirements and with alterations in the ecosystem balance they become threat- ened. Hence, the present study was conducted to obtain information on the presence of various bird species in Kurukshetra University campus. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted from July 2012 to July 2015 in the Kurukshetra University campus, Kurukshetra (29°6’N, 76°5’E). Some of the basic methods described by Bibby et al. (1992) were used in the present study. Regular surveys were made by walking on fixed routes through the study area. The birds were observed in the morning from 7.00 am to 10.00 am and in the evening from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The bird species observed or heard were recorded. The 8×42 Olympus binocular was used to confirm the identification of the birds. Photographs were taken by a digital camera. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The Kurukshetra University campus spread over 440 acres of land embodies diverse types of habitats including, natu- ral jungle, crop land, orchid, garden, marsh area, wild bloom of ground cover, urban and rural habitat with endemic plants and tall trees, afforestation zone and varied natural habitat. The topography of the campus has grasses, plain lush green lawns, orchids, gardens of fruit trees, vegetable fields, cropland, bushes, canopy of endemic and exotic trees and 40 acres of land as natural forest. A canal flows through the heart of the campus. The green campus with flexible habi- tats provide a unique niche for bird species. Total 72 bird species reported from campus belong to 14 different orders and 41 families. Various types of insec- tivorous (24), omnivorous (16), carnivorous (10), frugivo- rous (7), piscivorous (6), gramnivorous (4), larvivorous (2), algal feeding (1) and nectar feeding (1) birds were observed inhabiting the campus (Fig. 1). The avian species were found to belong to different or- ders including, Piciformers (4), Columbiformes (6),