Diversity of Avifauna of Trimmu Barrage, District Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan

Trimmu Barrage is situated at a distance of 21 km in southwest of Jhang city on Jhang-Bhakkar road. It is a complex of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Study was conducted with special reference to diversity of birds on monthly basis for a period of nine months. A total of 9699 birds 89 species belonging to 68 genera, 39 families and 15 orders were recorded. Among these 89 avian species were migratory and winter visitors, 4 migratory but summer breeder, 4 ordinary migrants and 52 were residents. Maximum population of birds was recorded during December, 2004 and January, 2005 due to increase in population of migratory and winter visitor birds i.e. waterfowl species. Illegal hunting, land leasing to the farmers for cultivation, eutrophication of reservoir, livestock grazing and vegetation exploitation were recorded as the major threats to wild fauna of the study area. It was concluded that there is an urgent need to safeguard the very fragile ecosystem and the overall biodiversity of Trimmu Barrage through management planning of the area.