surveys, water-quality analysis, and avifauna counts from pre-project (2013–2015) baseline data through

present post-project flows, we examine biodiversity shifts and propose conservation recommendations.

Atpadi in Sangli district receives only ~300–350 mm annual rainfall and has long suffered chronic droughts.

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Scheme was restructured in 2016–2018 on an equitable model to supply piped

Krishna-water (~5,000 m³ annually per household) to villages in Atpadi and Sangola Tehesil using closed

pipelines.

Atpadi Water reservoir, originally built in 1962 as a drinking and surface-water reservoir for the region, is a

critical aquatic habitat. Baseline studies in Sangli district reservoirs (e.g. Nimbavade) reported 44 bird species,

Atpadi Lake is one of the small water-body located in an undisturbed area of Sangli district between

of bird’s watcher and ornithologist. The lake is surrounded by vast area of deserted land on western side while

crop plantation is seen on eastern and southern side. Around this tank trees, herb and shrub is located with

some stretch of grassland area. However the lake itself fits in the definition of wetland ecosystem. The lake

was free of any type pollution as no human and industrial and other human activities polluting its water are

observed in it catchment area before commence of Tembhu irrigation Project. Previously the avifauna was

observed between June 2008 to May 2010. For observation of avifauna a binocular 10-12×50 Nikon binocular

was used while for photography Nikkon camera was used. Generally the avifauna was observed in the morning

biological properties were observed due to influx of polluted water coming from Krishna river. The waste

water including domestic waste, industrial waste, etc. is observed coming from megacities like Satara, Karad,

Koyananagar and villages and towns situated in Krishna basin.

During present investigations 44 species of aquatic birds were recorded before initiation of Tembhu Project.

They were belonging 16 families. Incidence of birds of regular occurrence in year 2008- 2009 and 2009-2010

was listed in Table No. 1 Out of all these birds observed at the site, some are resident birds like Kingfisher,

Ibis, cormorant, Heron, Egret, etc. while some are migratory. They are Stork, Flamingo, Goose, etc. They

migrate from Northern hemisphere to India- South-Western Maharashtra and scatter at various wetlands like

this study area. The resident birds are observed in all the months of investigation period but the migratory birds

Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Ducks, Cranes, Coots, Waders, Terns, King Fisher, Stork and Ibis, etc..

Post Tembhu Irrigation Project when the study was conducted from March 2017 to February 2019 change in

physicochemical and biological properties were observed along with change in winter visitors and local

aquatic avifauna as shown in Table No.2. Due to continuous influx of water for irrigation purpose the

previously observed islands providing nesting and feeding grounds were found permanently submerged. Due

to overflowing of this irrigation tank fall in growth of aquatic micro and macrophytes was seen, thus by

destroying feeding ground of aquatic avifauna.

In the previous study species like Indian Pond Heron, Grey Heron, Giant Heron, Cattle Egret, Smaller Egret,

Little Egret, Large Egret, Brahminy Duck, Pin tail, Open Bill Stork, Spoon Bill, Black Winged Stilt, Little

Ringed Plover, White Breasted Kingfisher, Painted Stork, White Stork, White Necked Stork, etc. were seen

Catla catla, Labeo Calbasu, Cirhinus fulungee, Cirrhinus Reba, Puntius amphibious, Mystus lamabaricus, M.

Montanus etc. (Dhindsa and Toor 1986, Yahya 1988, Bharucha and Gogte 1990, Patel et.al 1992, Urfi 1992,

Balchandran 1995, Salim Javed 1996 Sivaperuman and Jayson 2000, Rathore and Sharma 2000, Ramakrishna,

Muley and Vasanth 2001, Steimetz, Kohler and Soluk 2003, Srinivasulu 2004, Kedar and Patil 2005). In the

post initiation of Tembhu Irrigation Project major decline was observed in migratory visitors as well as local

aquatic avifauna due to various factors like destruction of feeding ground, change in availability of macro and

microphytes along with change in other physical and chemical parameters,

Present lake was extremely productive in terms of food, plants and animals, because the temperature of water

was often lower than that of the surrounding air, it acts as valuable feeding havens during the cold. In addition

it provides water for drinking, bathing and offers protection from land predators. It was not surprising therefore

Casmerodius albus

Northern Pintail

Tringa erythropus

Black Tailed Godvit

Limosa limosa

The author wish to express deep sense of gratitude to all peoples who helped me and Mr. Ashok Khade, of

Forest Office, Maharashtra Gov. for allowing me in the research area to carry out my research work.

6. Deepa RS, Ramachandra TV. Impact of urbanization in the interconnectivity of wetlands. Paper

presented at the National Symposium on Remote Sensing Applications for Natural Resourses:

10. http://data.gbif.org/search.