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The Hindu
15-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Kaziranga records high diversity of grassland bird species
GUWAHATI Researchers have found a great diversity of grassland bird species in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. In the first such survey of avians conducted between March 18 and May 25, a team of forest officials, bird experts, scientists, and conservationists recorded 43 grassland species across Kaziranga's three wildlife divisions. The survey report was released on Monday (July 14, 2025), marking a milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains. They included the critically endangered Bengal florican, the endangered Finn's weaver, and the swamp grass babbler. Among the remaining 40 species, six were in the vulnerable category — the black-breasted parrotbill, marsh babbler, swamp francolin, Jerdon's babbler, slender-billed babbler, and bristled grassbird. Grassland health 'A highlight of this survey is that the Finn's weaver, locally known as tukura chorai, is breeding successfully. This remarkable bird, a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health,' Assam's Environment Minister, Chandra Mohan Patowary, said while releasing the report. The 1,174 sq. km Kaziranga is a mix of grasslands, forestlands, and wetlands. 'The study is significant because wet grasslands are not very well surveyed in India. Kaziranga's grassland bird diversity can, thus, be compared in terms of species richness with the dry grasslands of Gujarat and Rajasthan,' the national park's director, Sonali Ghosh, said. A key highlight of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas. This approach significantly improved species detection, especially of shy and cryptic birds, enhancing the overall accuracy and depth of the findings. The report identifies several critical grassland habitats within Kaziranga that support significant populations of threatened and endemic species. One such habitat is the park's Kohora Range, where a breeding colony of the Finn's weaver was spotted.
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Science
- India Gazette
Kaziranga's hidden treasures: 1st Grassland Bird Survey reveals thriving diversity
Kaziranga (Assam) [India], July 14 (ANI): Kaziranga National Park's first-ever Grassland Bird Survey has identified 43 species, including one critically endangered, two endangered, and six vulnerable species. The survey also documented several regional endemic birds. In a landmark step for wildlife conservation in Northeast India, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve officially released its First Grassland Bird Survey report, marking a significant milestone in the documentation and protection of grassland-dependent bird species in the Brahmaputra floodplains. Dr Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, said that the extensive survey, conducted between March 18 and May 25, spanned the Eastern Assam, Biswanath, and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions. '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. A total of 43 grassland bird species were recorded, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species, along with several species endemic to the region, as per the IUCN Red List. The survey placed special emphasis on ten focal species that are either 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,' Dr Sonali Ghosh said. The Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve further said that the key highlight of the survey was to find the breeding colony of the endangered Finn's Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus). 'This remarkable bird (a LIFER for many birdwatchers), a master nest-builder atop trees, is a vital indicator of grassland health. These species serve as ecological indicators of the health and integrity of floodplain grasslands. A key highlight of the study was the deployment of passive acoustic recorders, enabling non-invasive and continuous monitoring even in inaccessible or high-risk areas. This approach significantly improved species detection, especially of shy and cryptic birds, enhancing the overall accuracy and depth of the findings. 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,' Dr Ghosh said. She also said that the report is the result of a collaborative effort by a dedicated team of forest officials, scientists, and conservationists. Expert enumerators included bird experts and scientists such as Dr Asad R Rahmani, Dr Anwar Uddin Choudhury, Dr Ranjan Kumar Das, Dr Udayan Borthakur, Dr Sonali Ghosh, Chiranjib Bora, Dr Smarajit Ojah, Dr Biswajit Chakdar, Shyamal Saikia, Hina Brahma, Dr Leons Mathew Abraham, Sujan Chatterjee, Abidur Rahman, Bitupan Kalita, Arif Hussain, Jugal Borah, Rahul Sarma, Luson Prakash Gogoi, Dipankar Deka, Neeraj Bora, Arun C Vignesh, Khagesh Pegu, and Rajib Hazarika. 'The Survey report was released by the Minister of Environment Forest and Climate change in an event on 11th July at Kaziranga and he appreciated the efforts of the Park authorities to document lesser known aspects of biodiversity in the Park. This report represents an important first step in the long-term conservation of grassland birds. It emphasises 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,' Dr Sonali Ghosh said. She further added that the report serves as a model for integrating rigorous science into protected area management, offering a replicable template for other landscapes across India and beyond. On the other hand, Assam Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary wrote on X, 'Thrilled to share that Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve's first-ever grassland survey has 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!.' (ANI)
Hans India
14-07-2025
- General
- 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.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Transboundary elephant raids: Farmers in Bhutan leave croplands fallow
GUWAHATI: Farmers in Bhutan and India tend to leave their croplands fallow, fearing raids by elephants driven out of their natural habitats owing to anthropogenic or human-caused activities. Data on farmers on the Indian side of the boundary between the two countries abandoning their fields is not available. A report in Trumpet, a quarterly journal of the Wildlife Institute of India, said 30% of their counterparts in Bhutan leave their land fallow, fearing crop damage. The report cites a 2024 study revealing the scale of the challenge in Bhutan's Sarpang Forest Division, where more than 40% of the households reported experiencing human-elephant conflicts (HEC). 'Alarmingly, 30% of farmers leave their land fallow, fearing crop damage. Elephants primarily raid maize and paddy, which are the most widely cultivated crops, but cash crops like areca nut, oranges, ginger, and cardamom have also been targeted. The cultivated area for maize and paddy was large as compared to other crops, resulting in the maximum incidence of crop raiding by elephants,' the report said. The authors of the report are Ugyen Tshering, an officer at Bhutan's Jomotsangkha Wildlife Sanctuary; Sonali Ghosh, the Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve; and Rupali Thakur and Anukul Nath of the Assam Forest Department. According to its national elephant survey in 2016, Bhutan has an estimated 678 elephants primarily inhabiting the southern foothills bordering Assam and West Bengal. While these animals are integral to the region's biodiversity, their presence increasingly comes at a cost to local communities, with HEC causing economic strain and social stress, particularly for farmers in southern Bhutan. Joint Assam-Meghalaya hydropower project opposed 'Farmers in Sarpang have observed a steady rise in elephant incursions, a trend likely driven by forest degradation and fragmentation, which push elephants into human-dominated areas. Yet, a significant number of conflict incidents remain unreported,' the report says. One of the factors behind under-reporting is said to be religious beliefs rooted in Bhutanese culture, which encourage compassion toward wildlife. 'Local communities in Sarpang have predominantly relied on traditional mitigation measures, including keeping night vigils, making fire, and beating drums. However, many farmers view electric fencing as the most effective solution,' the report says, pointing out that only 0.65% of the affected farmers in Sarpang could afford electric fences. Compared to their counterparts in Bhutan, more farmers in India – specifically Assam's Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) – are opting for electric or solar-powered fences and bio-fences, which involve growing 'elephant-repellent' cash crops such as lemon and chilli around rice and vegetable fields. The study attributes this to support from local governments and NGOs. Regional soft diplomacy HEC results in about 300 human and 200 elephant deaths in India every year, apart from damage to about 15,000 houses and 8-10 million hectares of crops. One of the major critical stretches is along the BTR-Bhutan border, more than 250 km long. During the late 1980s, present-day BTR experienced a severe socio-political crisis arising out of the Bodoland statehood movement, devastating the infrastructure of the region and causing large-scale destruction of the wildlife and its habitat, specifically the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve and the adjoining Manas Tiger Reserve. Asiatic wild dog returns to Assam's Kaziranga landscape The extent of the damage was evident from the eastern part of this landscape in 2009, when 14 people and 10 elephants died in conflicts. The study calls for promoting 'regional soft diplomacy by promoting multi-stakeholder groups such as the Trans-boundary Manas Conservation Area, a Bhutan-India collaborative initiative established in 2011 to address protected areas and biological corridors along the border between the two countries. The study advocates exploring and implementing a variety of community and household-based protection measures, including cooperative crop guarding and fencing. 'Creating awareness and educating communities on the importance of elephant conservation should be initiated by officials from protected areas and other environmental and educational agencies,' it says. It also underlines capacity building and law enforcement. 'The officials and local teams on both sides of the border can be jointly trained to enforce the law and also maintain relevant databases. Illegal activities that result in elephant mortality can be prevented by such joint enforcement,' the study says.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
‘Poacher' shot dead in KNPTR during encounter, AK-56 recovered
1 2 3 Guwahati: Based on specific inputs of poachers entering the park with sophisticated weapons, the KNPTR security force and police, in a joint operation, killed a suspected poacher on Wednesday night. An AK-56 rifle and 11 rounds of live ammunition were also recovered from the possession of the unidentified individual. This is the second such instance of a suspected poacher being killed in KNPTR within a month. "Before the monsoon rain inundates the park, such poaching attempts are being taken. Nearly a month later it will not be easy to enter," said a senior police official. KNPTR authorities said while one individual was killed during their encounter with the suspected poachers, they had also recovered weapons. "The poachers are getting desperate. They are attempting to enter, but we have thwarted their efforts proactively," KNPTR field director Sonali Ghosh said. DFO of eastern assam wildlife division, Arun Vignesh, said, "We could not identify the individual. Most likely, he is not from a nearby area. If he was from nearby villages, he would have been identified by now," Vignesh said. Issuing a press release, KNPTR authorities said approximately at 8 pm on Wednesday evening, the range officer of eastern range (Agaratoli) received credible information regarding an armed attack on front-line staff, stationed at Balidubi Camp, by unidentified poachers. In response, all forest camps in the vicinity were immediately placed on high alert and additional security teams were swiftly deployed. The statement further read, a team, consisting of forest security personnel and local police, reached the Dhanbari area at around 10:30 pm and detected suspicious movement of armed individuals. "The team issued a warning, instructing the suspects to stop and identify themselves. In response, the armed poachers opened fire on the security personnel. Exercising utmost restraint, the team returned controlled fire in self-defence," the statement read. The individual was immediately transferred to the nearby Swahid Kamala Miri Civil Hospital at Bokakhat, where he was declared brought dead, the release said. A comprehensive search operation is underway to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the incident, the statement read.
