author(s)
Manu Manjula, Rahul Kumar and Rakesh Kumar

abstract
Wetlands are considered amongst the most productive ecosystems in the world. They provide numerous beneficial services for organisms as well as to humans. The exploitation of ponds and lakes becomes a major problem nowadays. Nalanda comes under Gangetic floodplain and southern Chotanagpur plateau region. The Panchane river flow through the district of Nalanda which flows nearby the study sites. It is a rain-fed river and almost becomes dry in summer. Bihar has one Tiger reserve, one National park and 12 Wildlife Sanctuaries. The fertile Indo-Gangetic Plain which is rich in wetlands that attracts variety of birds. The Giddhi and Pushpakarni lakes are two small non-protected warer body situated in the Nalanda district situated vicinity of Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary. These sites have emerged as the last refuge for winter visitors, as well as the most important "Pakshi vihar" (Bird watching site) in the Nalanda district. Gidhhi and Pushpakarni lakes are ideal and potential birding sites in Nalanda well deserve to be designated as an IBA (Important Bird Area) of India which attracts thousands of birds and birds watchers especially in winter but could not be added as an IBA due to lack of sufficient data at the time of listing of IBAs. Even though globally Near Threatened species such as Ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Anas acut has been recorded from here (Photo plate 1). Overall, Our study finds 107 species of birds in both lakes during the survey belonging to 47 families (table 1) which includes migratory birds like Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Common Teal Anas crecca, Red-Crested Pochard Netta rufina, Gadwall Mareca strepera, Garganey Spatula querquedula and resident Lesser Whistling-duck Dendrocygna javanica, Pheasant-tailed Jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyria. The major threats to the wetland are fishing lease, encroachment, water pollution, poaching and opportunistic feral dogs who roam around the wetland (photo plate 2). Birds are also feel threaten due to human activities like grazing livestock and Bathing.