Assessing Avian Biodiversity and Conservation Challenges in A Semi-Arid Hill Ecosystem: A Case Study from The Harsh-Jeen Region

It is critical for conservation to comprehend how elevation affects avian biodiversity, particularly in ecologically delicate and little understood semi-arid areas. In this study, the HARSH-JEEN hills of Rajasthan, which are a component of the Aravalli range, are examined for their bird population composition, distribution patterns, and anthropogenic stresses along an elevation gradient (350–800 m). We documented 42 families and 122 species using routine field surveys conducted throughout the year using line transect and point count techniques. The species richness distribution was unimodal, peaking at mid-elevations (500–650 m). Elevation specialists included a number of species of conservation interest. Zones of high religious tourism and vegetation loss were found to be significantly fragmented in low- and mid-elevation zones, according to a GIS-based land cover analysis. Initial community interviews also revealed a decline of traditional management and an increase in anthropogenic hazards. The necessity of site-specific conservation strategies, such as habitat zoning, community-based stewardship models, and sustainable ecotourism activities, is highlighted by the present research. A reproducible model for comparable dryland hill ecosystems throughout the Aravalli region is provided by these results.