Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

MADHAV NATIONAL PARK: A POTENTIAL SITE FOR VULTURES IN BUNDELKHAND REGION, INDIA

Ruby Yadav, Adesh Kumar and Amita Kanaujia

Abstract

Vultures have an important role in their habitats because they feed primarily on carrion, or the flesh of dead animals. Vultures provide a much needed service in food chains. Carrion eaters and scavengers are essential for disposing of dead bodies. They are particularly good scavengers as they can fly and cover a greater distance than scavengers that are on foot. The aim of study status and distribution of vulture population in Madhav National Park. The Park is interspersed with hills and valleys of central Indian Vindhyachal hill ranges. Madhav National Park has estimated 336 individuals of 6 species (G. bengalensis, G. fulvus and G. indicus, Cenerious vulture, Neophron percnopterus, Sarcogyps calvus except Gyps tenurostris and Gyps himalayansis which is not seen during the study. The population of Indian vulture is higher (177) followed by Whitebacked vulture (72), Red headed Vulture (46), Egyptian vulture (33), Griffon Vulture (30), Cinereous vulture (4).). Maximum species diversity observed in south range while least observed in central range.A Simpson’s index of diversity(1-D) is higher (0.7599) in North while lower (0.5647) in the south. Species evenness calculated by Simpson’s evenness is maximum in North and least in central range. Shannon Wiener Species Diversity the Index is Maximum (1.46) in North and lowers in East (1.3). Madhav National Park has a long history of protection, has a good population of vulture due to their prey predator availability.