Abstract
This chapter presents an overview of the status and distribution of raptors in the state of Rajasthan which has the largest concentration of these birds in the Indian Subcontinent. More than 50 raptor species have been reported by the authors. Data regarding their population from Bharatpur district during 1985–1989, Ranthambhore National Park in 1990 and other long-term surveys in the desert since 1998 onwards are still on going and have been mentioned. A composite picture has emerged over the years, and authors feel that this chapter will provide baseline data applicable for conserving the various species of birds of prey and their habitat in Rajasthan. Range maps for each species throughout Rajasthan are included. The status and distribution of all the resident and migratory species including vagrant species have been discussed at length. The decline of raptors particularly Gyps vulture has also been discussed. Conservation threats like increase in human and livestock population due mainly to the development of Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna (IGNP) have been outlined. This chapter highlights that IGNP has caused drastic environmental changes on account of the exploitation of the raptor habitat in the semi-arid areas and Aravallis, and by the growing human population.
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Acknowledgments
At Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, 1985–1989 (RKN) thanks to former Chief Wildlife Wardens Mr. O.P. Mathur, Mr. V.D. Sharma, and Mr. R.G. Soni for readily providing facilities for research; former Deputy Chief Wildlife Wardens, Rajan Mathur, K.L. Saini, A.S. Brar, Shruti Sharma and Mr. R.N. Mehrotra, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Jaipur. Bholu Abrar Khan shared his intimate knowledge of the park. The staff at Keoladeo, primarily Sohanlal, Amarnath, Prakash Chand Sain, Habib and Iqbal Khan, Suresh and Shiv Singh, were extremely helpful. At Ranthambhore, Fateh Singh Rathore, former Field Director, generously provided all facilities. The authors acknowledge Shantanu Kumar I.G. BSF who provided all facilities along border areas in Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts. Mr. K.S. Jangpangi, D.I.G. BSF, Bikaner district, helped out with logistics along the border; Brig. (Dr.) B.K. Khanna, SM, VSM, D.I.G. BSF, Jaisalmer district, and Mr. D. V. Saraswat, D.I.G. BSF, Jaisalmer district.
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Naoroji, R., Sangha, H.S. (2013). Status and Distribution of Raptors in Rajasthan. In: Sharma, B., Kulshreshtha, S., Rahmani, A. (eds) Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0800-0_13
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