Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Study on the population foraging roosting and breeding activities of the Cattle egret _Bubulcus ibis_ inhabiting the arid zone of Rajasthan

Auteur : Sharma, Madhu

Université de soutenance : Maharaja Ganga Singh University

Grade : Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 2014

Préface
The information about population status and basic ecological requirements of many egrets/iierons are still poorly understood. The Cattle egrets Bubulcus ibis) is one of the species that is neglected since long time for the study in semi-arid-zone. The egrets are a widespread with a cosmopolitan distribution. There are two species of egrets Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis), Little egret Egreta garzetta) are commonly found in study area. Now-a-days it is considered as threatened Species. Egrets have been valued since prehistoric time for their role in controlling animal pest in irrigated crop but now the some species threatened with extinction because crops are treated with biocides. The population of Cattle egrets in India is fairly large but, However ; the species is not recorded from certain parts of northwestern India which includes the desert region of Rajasthan. Though Cattle egret is commonly found in arid zone of Rajasthan state of India but facing environmental stress particularly due to frequently occurring drought and spraying insecticides on crops. The detail study of its population dynamics, foraging, roosting and breeding behaviour in the arid zone will facilitates us in formulating a programme for its conservation which is of serious concern now a days. The foregoing account exposes a wide lacuna in the understanding of the population dynamics, foraging, roosting and breeding success of the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis) inhabiting harsh climatic conditions of arid zone of Rajasthan. As such it was decided to fill up this daunting gap by undertaking the present investigations.