Assam: Critically endangered among 43 grassland bird species spotted in Kaziranga
The 43 grassland bird species included one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, along with several species endemic to the region as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that the survey, conducted between March 18 and May 25, placed special emphasis on ten focal species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains.
These threatened or endemic species include, Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn's Weaver, Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird.
The KNPTR Director said the first grassland bird survey report marked a significant milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains.
The extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, she said, adding that utilising a combination of point count surveys and passive acoustic monitoring, the initiative represents the first dedicated attempt to assess grassland avifauna across this ecologically critical landscape.
Assam's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary expressed his deep satisfaction over the recording of 43 grassland bird species.
In a post on the X, the Minister said: 'Thrilled to share that Kaziranga's first-ever grassland survey has recorded 43 grassland bird species, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics.'
He said: 'The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity of grassland obligate birds in India, reflecting the habitat's robust health and effective protection. Our commitment to science-backed management continues strong !'
The KNPTR Director Ghosh said that the key highlight of the survey was to find the breeding colony of the endangered Finn's Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus) at Kaziranga. This remarkable bird (a lifer for many birdwatchers), a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health, the senior Indian Forest Service officer said.
According to Ghosh, these species serve as ecological indicators of the health and integrity of floodplain grasslands. Another significance of the outcome of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas, she said.
Ghosh said that the report identifies several critical grassland habitats within Kaziranga that support significant populations of threatened and endemic species.
Notably, the discovery of a breeding colony of the Endangered Finn's Weaver in the Kohora Range marks a pivotal finding and reinforces the need for focused habitat protection and management.
The report is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated team of forest officials, bird experts, scientists, and conservationists, the official said.
The survey report was released by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in an event at Kaziranga. The Minister appreciated the efforts of the Park authorities to document lesser-known aspects of biodiversity in the Park.
The KNPTR Director said that this report represents an important first step in the long-term conservation of grassland birds and emphasised the need for continued ecological monitoring and adaptive management to safeguard these fragile ecosystems.
This pioneering work reaffirms Kaziranga's stature not only as a stronghold for charismatic megafauna but also as a critical refuge for avian biodiversity within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, she stated.
The KNPTR, India's seventh UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises three forest divisions -- the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat; the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and the Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon.
Home to a remarkable population of the "Big Five," it comprises 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses as of the 2022 census, 104 Bengal Tigers in 2022, 1,228 Asian Elephants in 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffalos in 2022, and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer also recorded in 2022.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
43 species make Kaziranga leading grassland bird habitat
Guwahati: Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) emerged as a leading grassland bird habitat in India after 43 such species, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable ones,were identified in the inaugural grassland bird survey at the park. This establishes Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) as a leading grassland bird habitat in India, park officials said on Monday. A total of 43 grassland bird species were recorded, along with several species endemic to the region, as per the IUCN Red List. The publication of KNPTR's first grassland bird survey report marks a vital step in wildlife conservation across the northeast. This detailed documentation acts as an essential reference for understanding and protecting bird species dependent on the Brahmaputra floodplains' grassland ecosystems. "Thrilled to share that @kaziranga_'s first-ever grassland survey recorded 43 grassland bird species—including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics. The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity of grassland obligate birds in India, reflecting the habitat's robust health and effective protection. Our commitment to science-backed management continues strong!" state forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary wrote on X on Monday. Patowary expressed satisfaction regarding the endangered Finn's Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus), known locally as tukura chorai, successfully breeding in Kaziranga. "This remarkable bird, a LIFER for birdwatchers, is also a master nest-builder atop trees, and is a vital indicator of grassland health. A proud moment for conservation and habitat management!" Patowary added. KNPTR field director Sonali Ghosh highlighted that the survey concentrated on ten focal species that are globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains — Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn's Weaver, Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird. Ghosh noted the significant discovery of the endangered Finn's Weaver breeding colony at Kaziranga. "This remarkable bird (a LIFER for many birdwatchers), a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health," she said. The recorded species function as ecological indicators of floodplain grasslands' health and integrity. The study utilised passive acoustic recorders for non-invasive monitoring in difficult-to-access areas, improving detection of elusive birds and enhancing result accuracy. The report establishes a foundation for long-term grassland bird conservation and emphasises continued ecological monitoring. "This pioneering work reaffirms Kaziranga's stature not only as a stronghold for charismatic megafauna but also as a critical refuge for avian biodiversity within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot," Ghosh added. She said the report demonstrates the integration of scientific methods in protected area management, providing a framework for other landscapes. The report resulted from collaboration between forest officials, scientists, and conservationists and numerous other specialists.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Time of India
Target to plant 5 cr saplings in current fiscal: CM
Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Monday inaugurated the state-level 'Van Mahotsav-2025', organised by the department of environment, forest and climate change (DoEFCC) by planting a mango sapling at his official residence on 1, Anne Marg premises. On this occasion, the CM appealed to people to contribute to this campaign by planting saplings on their premises and surroundings. "A target has been set to plant 5 crore saplings in the financial year 2025-26 and full preparations for this plantation campaign have been completed. Over the next three months, large-scale sapling plantations will be conducted throughout the state," he said. "The initiative involves saplings planting by the DoEFCC, rural development department, Jeevika groups, horticulture department, various organisations, departments, non-governmental organisations, and various social clubs," a communique issued by the chief minister's office (CMO) said. With the forward-thinking vision of the CM and the goal of increasing green cover, the state govt launched 'Hariyali Mission' in 2012, leading to large-scale sapling plantation across the state in mission mode. "As a result, the state's green cover reached 15.05%. The target is to increase the green cover to 17% by 2028," the CMO said. Initiated by Nitish, the "Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Abhiyan" began in 2019 across the state. "This campaign aims to raise public awareness about tree planting, water conservation, and environmental protection, encouraging their participation in sapling planting and increasing farmers' income through agroforestry. Additionally, fruit-bearing plants are being provided free of charge to the women of self-help groups and residents of villages near forests," the CMO said. Deputy CMs Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, water resources and parliamentary affairs minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, DoEFCC minister Sunil Kumar and senior officials were present on the occasion.
Hans India
14-07-2025
- Hans India
Assam: Critically endangered among 43 grassland bird species spotted in Kaziranga
In a significant development, a recent survey at the famed Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam recorded a total of 43 grassland bird species, officials announced on Monday. The 43 grassland bird species included one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, along with several species endemic to the region as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said that the survey, conducted between March 18 and May 25, placed special emphasis on ten focal species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. These threatened or endemic species include, Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn's Weaver, Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon's Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird. The KNPTR Director said the first grassland bird survey report marked a significant milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains. The extensive survey spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions, she said, adding that utilising a combination of point count surveys and passive acoustic monitoring, the initiative represents the first dedicated attempt to assess grassland avifauna across this ecologically critical landscape. Assam's Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary expressed his deep satisfaction over the recording of 43 grassland bird species. In a post on the X, the Minister said: 'Thrilled to share that Kaziranga's first-ever grassland survey has recorded 43 grassland bird species, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species, plus several regional endemics.' He said: 'The Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem boasts the highest diversity of grassland obligate birds in India, reflecting the habitat's robust health and effective protection. Our commitment to science-backed management continues strong !' The KNPTR Director Ghosh said that the key highlight of the survey was to find the breeding colony of the endangered Finn's Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus) at Kaziranga. This remarkable bird (a lifer for many birdwatchers), a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health, the senior Indian Forest Service officer said. According to Ghosh, these species serve as ecological indicators of the health and integrity of floodplain grasslands. Another significance of the outcome of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas, she said. Ghosh said that the report identifies several critical grassland habitats within Kaziranga that support significant populations of threatened and endemic species. Notably, the discovery of a breeding colony of the Endangered Finn's Weaver in the Kohora Range marks a pivotal finding and reinforces the need for focused habitat protection and management. The report is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated team of forest officials, bird experts, scientists, and conservationists, the official said. The survey report was released by Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary in an event at Kaziranga. The Minister appreciated the efforts of the Park authorities to document lesser-known aspects of biodiversity in the Park. The KNPTR Director said that this report represents an important first step in the long-term conservation of grassland birds and emphasised the need for continued ecological monitoring and adaptive management to safeguard these fragile ecosystems. This pioneering work reaffirms Kaziranga's stature not only as a stronghold for charismatic megafauna but also as a critical refuge for avian biodiversity within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, she stated. The KNPTR, India's seventh UNESCO World Heritage site, comprises three forest divisions -- the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat; the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, Biswanath Chariali; and the Nagaon Wildlife Division, Nagaon. Home to a remarkable population of the "Big Five," it comprises 2,613 Greater One-horned Rhinoceroses as of the 2022 census, 104 Bengal Tigers in 2022, 1,228 Asian Elephants in 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffalos in 2022, and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer also recorded in 2022.
