Synopsis
On February 2, officials reported that Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve recorded an impressive 1,12,062 migratory water birds of 124 species, marking the highest count for freshwater lakes in northeast India. This significant finding underscores the park's importance as a critical habitat for avian species.Key Takeaways
- 1,12,062 migratory birds counted in Kaziranga.
- 124 species recorded, with 62 winter migrants.
- Highest count compared to previous years.
- Collaboration among various stakeholders.
- Critical habitats for migratory birds.
Guwahati, Feb 2 (NationPress) A staggering 1,12,062 migratory water and wetland-dependent birds from 124 species have been recorded in Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), marking the highest count for freshwater lakes in northeast India, officials reported on Sunday.
KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh announced that the sixth Kaziranga waterbird count exercise revealed 1,12,062 migratory water and wetland-dependent birds, significantly surpassing the fifth round (2023-24), which counted 88,710 birds, and the fourth round (2021-22) with 66,776 birds.
Of the 124 species identified, 62 were winter migrants.
The results of this bird count were made public on Sunday.
As per the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) red list, seven species are globally threatened and 15 are near-threatened.
Among the three divisions, Nagaon Wildlife Division reported the highest species count at 107.
“Significant sightings included the critically endangered Baer's Pochard and the endangered Pallas's Fish Eagle. The Bar-headed Goose had the highest count of 20,845 individuals, while five other species—Knob-billed Duck, Baer's Pochard, Falcated Duck, White-tailed Eagle, and Greater white-fronted Goose—were recorded for the first time,” said Ghosh, a senior officer in the Indian Forest Service.
She also highlighted that, compared to other freshwater and Ramsar sites in India, including Nalsarovar (Gujarat), Keoadeo Ghana National Park (Rajasthan), Kolleru Lake (Andhra Pradesh), Wular Lake (Kashmir), Loktak Lake (Manipur), Deeporbeel (Assam), Rowmaribeel (Assam), and Donduwabeel (Assam), a notable number of water birds were documented in the KNPTR.
The two-day waterbird count exercise, conducted on January 11 and 12, involved five observers, four coordinators, and 93 enumerators from various institutions, as well as government and non-government organizations, alongside 62 volunteers from local colleges and forest staff. This initiative continues to be one of the largest Citizen Science Movements in the country in recent years.
The bird count aimed not only to collect valuable data on waterbird populations but also to promote community engagement and awareness regarding the significance of wetland conservation, according to the KNPTR Director.
The collaboration among diverse stakeholders emphasized the collective effort required for effective wildlife conservation in Kaziranga.
The waterbird count was first initiated in 2018-19 by the management authority of KNPTR.
Over the years, the waterbird count in Kaziranga has become a vital tool for managing the wetlands of one of India's premier tiger reserves.
Ghosh affirmed that there was no disruption to regular tourism activities during the census, which aimed to highlight the importance of science-based conservation in protected area management.
According to officials, India is home to nearly 370 migratory bird species from three primary flyways, with 310 predominantly utilizing wetland habitats.
The country's diverse wetlands, covering 15.26 million hectares, provide essential habitats for over 200 waterbird species.
The birds generally follow the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and East African-Eurasian Flyway (EAEF), using India's wetlands as critical refueling stations during their extensive migrations, she explained.
“These sites are crucial for the birds' annual migration cycles, offering suitable wintering grounds and vital resources. Kaziranga and other wetlands in northeast India are significant as they serve as wintering habitats for both the CAF and EAEF flyways,” the KNPTR director emphasized.
The KNPTR spans approximately 1,300 sq km and is home to over 2,613 one-horned Indian rhinos.
This world-renowned park not only shelters rhinos but also Asian elephants, Royal Bengal tigers, wild buffaloes, among many other animal species, while also serving as a habitat for thousands of birds across more than 124 species.
India's seventh (fourth in natural) UNESCO World Heritage site, KNPTR, extends across several districts of Assam, including Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Biswanath.
