RECORD AND ABUNDANCE OF EARTHWORMS AT BALLA VPUR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY , BIRBHUM , WEST BENGAL

With a view to study the earthworm fauna of Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Birbhum three study tours were conducted during 2003-2004. The Ballavpur Deer Park near Viswavarati University, Santiniketan, Birbhum is well known to the people of Kolkata. The area was developed as a Deer Park measuring about 200 hectares forest land and was promoted to the status of Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government of West Bengal on 1 I th July, 1977.


INTRODUCTION
With a view to study the earthworm fauna of Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Birbhum three study tours were conducted during [2003][2004].The Ballavpur Deer Park near Viswavarati University, Santiniketan, Birbhum is well known to the people of Kolkata.The area was developed as a Deer Park measuring about 200 hectares forest land and was promoted to the status of Wildlife Sanctuary by the Government of West Bengal on 1 I th July, 1977.
Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary (Fig. 1) is the best place for observing the wildlife fauna particularly, the birds of Birbhum.This Sanctuary is about 20 minutes drive from Bolepur (Santiniketan) Railway Station.The terrain of undulating and eroded lateritic soil partly mixed with morum and clay (the famous 'Khoai' of Santiniketan) was converted into a forest by plantation during the year 1954-55.Nearly 50 years have passed, and very little improvement is noticed to add the growth of the tree on the nutrient poor soil.Further the practice of sweepi ng away all leaf litters has only compounded to the misery of the soil and the flora.There is virtually no undergrowth.
Although the whole of the Sanctuary is fenced, the boundary has been destroyed at many places.However, an inner hundred acres separately wired off, holds only one species of ungulate, the Chital or spotted Deer (Axis axis).There are three water bodies in the Sanctuary.They are named very imaginatively Jheel No. I, 2 and 3.The first one falls within the privileged 100 acres and is the most spectacular aspect of the Sanctuary.This Jhill is separately fenced and cannot be approached over ground.One Watch Tower at the edge provides exceIIent views of the water fowl, speciaIIy ducks during the winter.
Records show ducks are predominantly available in the Jheel.Pintail numbers the most followed by Lesser Whistling Teal.Tufted Duck, Comb Duck, Cotton Teal are few in number.The prevalent species-the Pin-tailed leave the Jheel at sun down in great silent batches of hundreds which form a dark cloud for a brief movement and then spreads out in rippling waves and flies away to the south-east in search of paddy fields.
Ducks are accompanied by other water birds.The purple Moorhen and the Bronze-winged Jacana with their chicks.Egrets and Herons softly tread the weed-~overed edges searching for an unwary insects and amphibians.They in turn bring in the winged hunters.The Kestrel, the Honey Buzzer and then of course the Marsh Harrier swooping and snatching at the mass of Ducksspreading them to a clear patch of water in the hope that a helpless victim may become isolateda Moorhen perhaps.
The trees away from water also hold a variety of birds.There is a provision of spot entry permit on payment of a nominal sum.There is also a forest Bungalow at the edges of the forests, booking for which is available from the Division of the Forest Officer, Siuri, Birbhum, West Bengal or the Conservator of Forest, Central Circle, 35, Gopal Nagar Road, Kolkata-700 027.
From the literature (Gates, 1972; Halder, 1998; Julka, 1988; Julka & Senapati, 1987 and   Stephenson, 1923) it appears that there is no published information on the earthworms fauna or Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Nadia.However, Halder (1988) recorded nine species of earthworms from Birbhum district, West Bengal.The present study reveals the presence the fourteen species in and around Ballavpur wildlife Sanctuary including eleven species from the sanctuary proper.In this connection, it may be mentioned here that earthworms are considered as an indicator of soi 1 condition of the area concerned.On the other hand, reserve areas are the places where any group of organisms may live sustainably, if proper measures are taken.The soil of the BaIIavpur Wildlife Sanctuary is of laterite type, 10caIIy called 'morum' which is not ideal for soil living organisms.It is perhaps, due to the continuous efforts of the Forest department by suitable afforestation programme, the sanctuary supports a good earthworm faunal diversity.dorsal pore absent; spennathecal pores one pair, small transverse slits, just median to C; genital markings one small, circular, translucent area lateral or anterior to each male porophore, another similar one on VII, just anterior to each spermathecal pore; male pores paired at or median to III B C in lOllI, and just in front of female pore (l1/]2).
Remarks: Recorded under grasses in forest floor with moderately rich organic matter.However, there abundance is very poor.

Glyphidrilus tuberosus
Gizzard in VII, sometimes extending in VI; intestine begins in XV; last pair of hearts in XI; spennathccae small spherical sacs without diverticula, 2-4 on each side in XIV & XV.
Remarks: Originally described from Orissa and endemic to India.Prefer moist soil or submerged soil only with high organic matter, and observed abundantly during post monsoon season.

Eutyphoeus waltoni
Intestinal origin in XIV or XV; last pair of hearts in XI; spennathecae club-shaped, ducts slender.
Remarks: Also recorded earlier from manure and compost heaps, humus and sandy soil, under barks of trees, under rotting tree trunks and rotting plantain trunks.In Karnataka, this species was reported to make the soil compact, hard and cloddy.
Gizzards large, somewhat conical, narrow in front; intestinal origin usually in XVI; last pair of hearts in XIII.
Remarks : Soils in forest floor with high organic matter; under stones and rocks and rotten woods near pond water.