Data Zone
Country/territory: India
IBA criteria met: A1 (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 3,269 hectares (32.69 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | moderate | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
This site is a group of several grassland areas, situated about 15 km northeast of Ajmer City, adjacent to National Highway No. 8. During a good monsoon, the Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica breeds in some of the better protected grasslands (Sankaran 2000). Most of these grasslands are privately owned, and are maintained for fodder production. Owing to human population pressures, legal problems and growth and division of families, these grasslands are constantly being fragmented and converted to crop fields or put to other use. Killing of floricans by grassland owners is still a problem but due to intensive publicity by Ravi Sankaran, many owners now protect this endangered bird. Another species of conservation concern is the Sarus Crane Grus antigone, which breeds when rainfall is adequate. Sarus is not hunted at all, as it is considered a sacred bird. Prosopis chilensis and Acacia nilotica are the two dominant woody species, both in private and government lands. Privately protected sites are dominated by grasses, which are harvested from October- November or grazed by small herds of cattle. Common lands are heavily grazed upon throughout the year. No systematic study of the flora has been done.
Key biodiversity
AVIFAUNA: No detailed study has been undertaken, except for opportunistic observations made during surveys of the Lesser Floricans. Almost all bird species of seasonal semi-arid grasslands, such as larks, warblers, francolins and quail are seen. This IBA falls at the junction of three biomes i.e.Biome-11 (Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone), Biome-12 (Indo-Gangetic Plains) and 13 (Saharo-Sindian Desert), therefore, some of the bird species representing these biomes are reported here. However, none of these biome-restricted species are presently of conservation concern.
OTHER KEY FAUNA: No large mammal or reptile of conservation concern is found in this site.
Acknowledgements
Key contributors: Ravi Sankaran and Asad R. Rahmani.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Gawana Arain, Mangaliyawas, Ramsar, Goyal, Ratakot, Badar (India). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gawana-arain-mangaliyawas-ramsar-goyal-ratakot-badar-iba-india on 23/12/2024.