Impact of Radiations from Communication Towers on the Wetlands Avifaunal Diversity

Abstract

Background: A field survey was conducted from January 2021 to December 2022 in the wetlands of Aligarh region to access the impact of electromagnetic radiations emitting from communication towers on the avifaunal diversity. For the purpose of study three major sites were selected in this region comprising one control site without any communication tower. At all the Sites avifaunal species abundance, richness and evenness was recorded along with observation on certain behavioral aspects of birds.

Results: The survey revealed high impact of electromagnetic radiations on the avifaunal diversity at one site under strong electromagnetic field whereas at the other site under electromagnetic field the effect was minimal. Moreover some distortions in the breeding & feeding patterns as well as migration rate were also observed.

Conclusion: During study we found that electromagnetic radiations from the cell phone towers not only impacted the diversity and migration in birds but also altered their physiological and behavioral conditions hence posing a great threat to avifaunal biodiversity.