Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATIONS EMITTED FROM CELL PHONE TOWERS ON AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN URBAN LANDSCAPE OF ALIGARH REGION, INDIA

Atul Sharma, Meera Singh, Mani Gahlaut and Mukesh Kumar

Abstract

A field survey was conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 in the urban area of Aligarh region to access the possible effects of electromagnetic radiations emitted from cell phone towers on the avifaunal diversity. For the purpose of study three sites were selected in this region comprising one control site without any cell phone tower. Data were collected on the basis of point count and sighting method. Calculations were carried using Shannon and Weiner’s diversity index. Electric Field strength was measured using instrument LATNEX Triple Axis HF-B3GR meter. The survey revealed high impact of electromagnetic radiations on the avifaunal species abundance and richness, behavior, breeding, feeding patterns and migration rate.