Journal of Environmental Biology

Effects of electromagnetic radiations on diversity and

breeding biology of birds living near power lines and

mobile towers at Ludhiana, Punjab

T.K. Kler*, M. Kumar and N. Vashishat

Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: tejdeepkler@pau.edu

Key words

Avifaunal diversity

Breeding biology

Community structure

Electromagnetic radiations

Mobile towers

Publication Data

Paper received : 09.03.2016

Revised received : 17.08.2016

Re-revised received : 23.03.2017

Accepted : 01.07.2017    

Abstract

Aim: Mobile towers and high voltage power transmission towers are ubiquitous in the developed world and in urban areas of many developing countries. The present study was undertaken to monitor relative abundance of avian species in relation to mobile towers and high voltage power transmission towers.

Methodology: Point count method was used for the survey. The observations were recorded from January to December 2014 at selected eleven sites i.e., five in relation to mobile towers; five with respect to high voltage power transmission towers and one control site, respectively, at the campus of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.

Results: Species richness of 20, 27 and 36 bird species were observed at the selected sites near mobile towers, near high voltage power transmission towers and control site, respectively. The breeding success of Common Myna was 88.11 % in the artificial nests installed near mobile towers. Breeding success of 96.25 % and 83.33 % was recorded by Common Myna and Spotted Owlet in the artificial nests installed near high voltage power transmission towers. The breeding success of Common Myna and Spotted Owlet was 100.0% and 87.5% in artificial nests installed at control site.       

Interpretation: Preliminary findings of this study revealed that there was low bird abundance and breeding success near mobile towers and high voltage power transmission towers as compared to control site. It may be possible due to the clandestine effect of electromagnetic radiations along with the other unforeseen factors.

Copyright ? 2018 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).