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VOL. 7, ISSUE 4 (2025)
Biodiversity assessment of Rongo Forest, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India: An integrated study on flora, avifauna, insects, butterflies, and moths
Authors
Sagata Mondal, Animesh Bose, Atiya Jamal, Pratiksha Biswas, Soumayajit Mondal
Abstract
Biodiversity assessments are central to
ecological research and vital for framing conservation strategies, especially
in ecologically sensitive regions such as the Eastern Himalayas. This study was
conducted in Rongo Forest, Kalimpong, West Bengal, from April 16 to April 23,
2024, with the objective of documenting the diversity of plant and animal
groups using standardized ecological protocols. Quadrat sampling was applied
for vegetation analysis, while bird populations were surveyed through line
transects and point counts. For terrestrial insects, pitfall traps, bush
beating, and light trapping methods were utilized, whereas butterflies were
sampled through Pollard Walks, line transects, and swing net collections. A
total of 27 plant species representing 18 families were identified, with
Fabaceae emerging as the dominant family. Avifaunal assessment yielded 25 bird
species from 15 families, with Passeriformes being the most species-rich order.
Terrestrial insects comprised 30 species from 10 different orders; pitfall
traps accounted for 9 species, bush beating 13, and light traps 8.
Lepidopterans were notably diverse, with 31 butterfly species across 5 families
and 22 moth species from 8 families, including several globally threatened taxa
such as Parotis marginata, Alpha nivea, and Chasmina candida.
Compared with other surveys in the Eastern Himalayas, Rongo Forest supports a significant
proportion of rare and threatened Lepidoptera, highlighting its conservation
value. This baseline inventory emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring
and targeted conservation planning to safeguard the biodiversity of the region.
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Pages:44-52
How to cite this article:
Sagata Mondal, Animesh Bose, Atiya Jamal, Pratiksha Biswas, Soumayajit Mondal "Biodiversity assessment of Rongo Forest, Kalimpong, West Bengal, India: An integrated study on flora, avifauna, insects, butterflies, and moths". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 7, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 44-52
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