A CHECK LIST OF WATER BIRDS IN INLAND WETLAND OF WESTERN GHATS,MAHARASHTRA

Western Ghats biodiversity is one of the most significant in the world, internationally declared as world heritage. South Western Ghats of Maharashtra have vast number of inland wetland especially they are built for irrigation, drinking, domestic and drinking purposes. The present work carried out some inland wetlands of South Western Ghats of Maharashtra by line Transect method and direct observation method. The result revealed that huge number of water birds were attracted to different wetlands of South Western Ghats of Maharashtra in winter. Total 38 species of wetland birds were observed during study period. They were belonging to 4 order and 11 families. The status of bird and wetlands were studied, it revealed that more number of wetlands were facing several anthropogenic pressure, therefore indirect effect on population of water bird. This study is not complete but further research need to improving understanding of general pattern of inland wetlands and their biodiversity.