Avifaunal diversity and abundance were studied in two wetlands of Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal, India, in relation to eight wetland characteristics supposedly directly or indirectly affected by human activities. Although the climatic and geophysical conditions of both the wetlands are almost similar, a total of 80 bird species were recorded from one wetland and the other supported only 42 species. The relationship between habitat characteristics and community structure varied throughout the year, suggesting that the birds respond differently to one or other habitat characteristic depending on the season. Larger wetland size supported higher bird diversity and abundance as far as resident and local migrants are concerned. Winter migrant density and diversity, however, reached higher values in structurally more heterogeneous wetlands having fewer submerged aquatic vegetation. All these habitat characteristics become highly influenced by intense agricultural practices in the wetland with fewer bird diversity and density.

In all tribal villages we found the use of medicinal plants, particularly to treat common physical problems like smaller injuries, stomachache and abdominal disorder. However, non-availability of such plants in close vicinity is imposing restriction on using medicinal plants. Further research on these species may lead to the discovery of novel bioactive molecules in one hand and also it may open up a new horizon of sustainable development.

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The study was conducted to determine the status of physico-chemical parameters of the Brahmaputra river water in Sherpur district and also to assess the monthly variation of the river water. To perform the study the samples were collected from five different stations during the period of December 2013 to May 2014. Various water quality parameters such as transparency, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), hardness and alkalinity were examined. The study revealed that a slightly variation in water quality at different stations of the river. The mean value of transparency (42.21 cm), temperature (23.38oC), EC (351.12 ?s/cm), TDS (178.54 mg/l), pH (7.75), DO (4.47 mg/l), BOD (1.02 mg/l), hardness (82.36 mg/l) and alkalinity (98.63 mg/l) showed that the present status of the Brahmaputra river water is suitable for all aquatic lives, domestic and agricultural uses. Although the overall status of the river water quality is suitable, degradation was detected in few points which might be due to anthropogenic activities, especially the direct discharge of domestic effluents into river. Thus, necessary initiatives should be taken against such anthropogenic activities to maintain the overall water quality of the Brahmaputra river for its sustainable use.Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 28(1): 35-41, June-2015

Results indicate resting as the main diurnal activity of Aythya nyroca, whereas feeding dominated during the night. Other than resting (56.3%), feeding (16.8%) and swimming (15.2%) were major activities of the diurnal time-activity budget, whereas preening (9.4%) and flying (2.3%) were less frequent and occupied a secondary rank. Feeding and swimming were prevalent during the morning and afternoon hours. During midday, most of the ducks indulged in resting. The small amount of time spent on diurnal feeding was compensated by voracious nocturnal feeding (64.6%), which peaked in the middle of the night. Human interference plays an important role in shaping the diurnal time-activity budget. Ferruginous Ducks used the Gajoldoba wetland for foraging and roosting both day and night all through the wintering cycle, which proves that the Gajoldoba wetland is a stable wintering ground for Ferruginous Ducks.