International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN. 

Effect of increasing Deforestation on Biodiversity in old Shahabad district of Bihar, India

    ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Zoology, V.K.S.U., Arrah, Bihar, India
  • 2L.N. College Bhagwanpur, Vaishali, Bihar, India

Res. J. Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sci., Volume 14, Issue (1), Pages 10-12, May,24 (2026)

Abstract

Old Shahabad district now divided into Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, and Kaimur historically featured patches of mixed deciduous forests, riverine habitats, and grasslands supporting diverse flora and fauna. Over the past two decades, rapid population growth, expansion of agricultural land, and increasing demand for timber and fuel wood have accelerated deforestation in the region. This article examines how deforestation trends from 2000 to 2020 have affected biodiversity focusing on changes in forest cover, species richness, and habitat fragmentation. Drawing on satellite‐derived land‐use data, village-level forest-dependency surveys, and field inventories conducted in 2019-20, we document declines in tree species density 28 %, avian species richness 22 %, and mammalian sightings 18 % over the last ten years. The conversion of approximately 12 % of remaining forest to cropland between 2010 and 2020 has led to habitat loss for at least 35 locally threatened plant and animal species. We also explore socio‐economic drivers behind deforestation, such as land tenure insecurity and weak enforcement of forest protection laws. Finally, we suggest a multi‐pronged management approach integrating community managed woodlots, agro forestry, and restoration of riparian corridors to mitigate biodiversity loss and sustain ecosystem services in Old Shahabad.

References

  1. R. J., Reams, G. A., Achard, F., de Freitas, J. V., Grainger, A., & Lindquist, E. (2015)., Dynamics of global forest area: Results from the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment., Forest ecology and management, 352, 9-20.
  2. Geist, H. J., & Lambin, E. F. (2002)., Proximate causes and underlying driving forces of tropical deforestation: Tropical forests are disappearing as the result of many pressures, both local and regional, acting in various combinations in different geographical locations., BioScience, 52(2), 143-150.
  3. Hosonuma, N., Herold, M., De Sy, V., De Fries, R. S., Brockhaus, M., Verchot, L., ... & Romijn, E. (2012)., An assessment of deforestation and forest degradation drivers in developing countries., Environmental research letters, 7(4), 044009.
  4. Kumar, S. (2024)., Status of India’s forests. In Forest policies, laws, and governance in India: Conservation challenges in the face of climate change (pp. 207-232)., Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
  5. Champion, H. G., & Seth, S. K. (1968)., A revised survey of the forest types of India., Manager of publications.
  6. Sala, O. E., Stuart Chapin, F. I. I. I., Armesto, J. J., Berlow, E., Bloomfield, J., Dirzo, R., ... & Wall, D. H. (2000)., Global biodiversity scenarios for the year 2100., Science, 287(5459), 1770-1774.
  7. Assessment, M. E. (2005)., Ecosystems and human well-being: wetlands and water., World resources institute.
  8. Tilman, D., Reich, P. B., Knops, J., Wedin, D., Mielke, T., & Lehman, C. (2001)., Diversity and productivity in a long-term grassland experiment., Science, 294(5543), 843-845.
  9. Fahrig, L. (2003)., Effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity., Annual review of ecology, evolution, and systematics, 34(1), 487-515.
  10. Change, I. C. (2014)., Synthesis Report., Contribution of working groups I. II and III to the fifth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, 151(10.1017).
  11. Singh, J. S. (2002)., The biodiversity crisis: a multifaceted review., Current Science, 638-647.
  12. Krebs, C. J. (1989)., Ecological methodology.,
  13. Magurran, A. E. (2003)., Measuring biological diversity., John Wiley & Sons.
  14. Zar, J. H. (1999)., Biostatistical analysis., Pearson Education India.
  15. Harris, L. D., & Silva-Lopez, G. (1992)., Forest fragmentation and the conservation of biological diversity., In Conservation biology: The theory and practice of nature conservation preservation and management (pp. 197-237). Boston, MA: Springer US.
  16. Haddad, N. M., Brudvig, L. A., Clobert, J., Davies, K. F., Gonzalez, A., Holt, R. D., ... & Townshend, J. R. (2015)., Habitat fragmentation and its lasting impact on Earth’s ecosystems., Science advances, 1(2), e1500052.
  17. Bonan, G. B. (2008)., Forests and climate change: forcings, feedbacks, and the climate benefits of forests., Science, 320(5882), 1444-1449.