9k Brahmaputra fish rescued from Barasat, brought to Alipore zoo
Sources said three persons have also been detained in this connection.
The seizure comes only a few days after 48 critically endangered gharials were seized near Gaighata last week. Barca snakehead is critically endangered in Bangladesh. In India, it is considered data-deficient by International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is also in high demand among aquarists. It is protected under Schedule II of the country's wildlife protection act.
A forest dept official, though, said that unless ZSI identifies the species, they cannot make any comment. "All the fish in the consignment may not be channa barca. So, we are awaiting confirmation from ZSI," he said. According to sources, the Channa barca in the consignment was probably mixed with another similar species that looked like the 'Meghalaya Blue' fish or Channa pardalis.
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According to reports, the barca snakehead is only known from the upper Brahmaputra River basin in Assam and Nagaland in India and Sylhet in Bangladesh. This is a relatively large snakehead, reaching upto a length of up to 105 cm (3 ft). Its rarity, behavior and large size makes it unsuitable for most aquariums. It mostly inhabits wetlands, often near the margins, but can also be seen in riverine habitats. The overall conservation status of the barca snakehead is poorly known, but it appears to be a scarce or rare species, as per IUCN observation.
The species is highly carnivorous, feeding mostly on fish.
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Two rare wildcat species caught on camera-traps in Pakistan
Conservationists snapped images of two small wildcat species in Pakistan earlier this year: an Asiatic caracal (Caracal caracal schimitzi) and a sand cat (Felis margarita) – both which are incredibly rare in the country. Information on both cats in Pakistan is limited, with the sand cat presumed possibly extinct there, according to the IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority. The camera-trap image of the caracal is 'very rare visual evidence of the once widespread but now rapidly declining species', says Zafeer Ahmed Shaikh, director of the Indus Fishing Cat Project. That image – the first camera-trap record of a caracal in Pakistan, according to Shaikh – came from Kirthar National Park, where the Indus Fishing Cat Project, a nonprofit, has had cameras set for around four years. The team decided to extend its camera trapping after earlier reports of a caracal crossing a road in broad daylight in the area in January this year. The nonprofit's local partners, Qalandar Burfat, Zohaib Ahmed and Ramzan Burfat, set up the trap near a watering hole inside the national park. 'There was only one singular video of this male cat from about 400 videos at this particular camera station across a two-week-long period,' Shaikh says. Unfortunately, another sighting included one juvenile cat killed in the national park by local people. These images offer firm evidence that caracals are still present in Pakistan, says Jim Sanderson, founder and director of the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation. 'But, as with most places, we have no idea if a self-sustaining population exists.' The sightings 'give us better insight into species distribution and habitat preferences in the country', Ricky Reino, an Asiatic caracal species monitor and studbook keeper for the European Zoo population, told Mongabay by email. 'We know that caracal numbers are considerably less in Asia, especially in India, than they are in Africa,' he adds. Though the caracal is listed by the IUCN as a species of least concern globally, within Pakistan it's considered critically endangered, with an estimated population of approximately 100 individuals. A 2023 paper noted there's 'no comprehensive information on the distribution or abundance of the caracal in Pakistan'. With the species deemed widespread and a low priority across much of its range, few 'conservation-based threat-reduction projects are taking place' anywhere, including in Pakistan, Sanderson adds. The species' status is currently under review by the IUCN. In another rare feat, Shaikh's organisation snapped a picture of a sand cat – a species listed as possibly extinct in Pakistan, according to the IUCN. 'The sighting of the sand cat in Pakistan is highly significant from both ecological and conservation perspectives since the species was practically unknown this far east of its range,' Shaikh says. Other sporadic sightings have been recorded in other parts of the country. 'These confirmed photographic records are extremely valuable, as the species is poorly documented in South Asia,' he says. 'And Pakistan lacks comprehensive data on its distribution or population status.' Little known, highly endangered Kirthar National Park, where both cat species were spotted, sits on the border of Karachi, a city that's home to some 20 million people. Despite the preserve's protected status, it is beset by sand mining activities, says Shaikh. Karachi, the capital city of Pakistan's Sindh province and the 12th-largest city in the world, is undergoing massive development with ongoing conversion of its green belt to residential and commercial areas. 'Such projects require sand and gravel to construct and build, and as such, they extract these natural resources from within the national park itself,' Shaikh says. 'It is happening at multiple sites. But two locations – Pachhran and Khar Centre – are notorious.' Khar Centre is where the caracal was photographed, with sand and gravel mining activity there likely impacting the small cats and a host of other species – disrupting habitat, threatening water sources, and creating noise and other pollution. For small cats in Pakistan, in general, retaliatory killings pose another major threat. That's the current focus of conservation work by Shaikh's organisation. The group says it hopes to capture more images of caracals and sand cats to deepen knowledge of the country's populations. But with stretched resources, the NGO's focus is on direct conservation action. 'Our goal is to expand on existing awareness programmes as well as to create a solid foundation for a compensation scheme in the region,' Shaikh says. Similarly, the sand cat sighting may help build a case for a national conservation strategy, targeting threats such as habitat degradation due to overgrazing and retaliatory killings. 'Every verified sighting is contributing to baseline data, and solidifying the mapping of its current range, and supports its inclusion in national conservation strategies,' Shaikh says. 'These sightings are important, as it shows the need for dedicated research and conservation initiatives focussing on caracals and other small cats,' Reino says. Conservation of small wildcats is severely underfunded worldwide, though research and conservation financing has increased in recent years. Only around 3% of global felid funding is currently directed at the more than 36 species of small cats, with the lion's share going to the charismatic big cats, according to Sanderson. '[S]mall wildcats are far from the priority species or wildlife groups of most wildlife conservation bodies in Pakistan,' Shaikh says. 'These species go by unnoticed very easily, and thus, this creates huge research gaps and conservation issues that must be addressed soon.' Shaikh says he hopes the new photo records for both small cats will 'stimulate scientific interest and raise awareness among local communities and authorities,' ultimately building a case for conserving Pakistan's elusive small cats, rare as they may be.
Hans India
14-07-2025
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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
12-07-2025
- The Hindu
Otter threat lurks on Kottayam's riverbanks
The threat from large reptiles like crocodiles is well known, but as residents across Kottayam are now discovering, danger in the water isn't always measured by size. The number of otters in the Meenachil river and its tributaries has reached alarming proportions, instilling fear among those living along the banks. With an increasing number of otter bite incidents being reported, residents are now urging the government to take immediate steps to control their population. Most affected areas The situation is especially dire in regions such as Vijayapuram, Kumarakom, Aymanam, Arpookkara, Thiruvathukkal, Kottayam town, and Thazhathangadi. A recent incident in Velur near Kottayam has brought the issue into stark focus. Nisani, 53, wife of Ibrahimkutty from Kalayamkary, Panampady in Velur, died after being bitten by a large otter while washing clothes near her home. Although her death is suspected to have been caused by a heart attack following an anti-rabies injection, the incident has left riverside residents terrified. Since then, routine activities like washing clothes or utensils in the river have become fraught with fear. Beyond posing a danger to human safety, the ballooning otter population has wreaked havoc on local fish farmers. Despite installing protective nets around their ponds, farmers report significant losses as otters, often attacking in groups, breach defences and consume large quantities of fish. Once a rare sight, otters are now commonly seen navigating the waterways, particularly in stretches between Poovathumood and Vattamood bridges and around Parampuzha. Forest officials have also confirmed an increase in otter activity along the Meenachil river and nearby streams, especially during the animals' breeding season when they become more aggressive. Why population surge The otter is classified as a 'vulnerable' species on the IUCN Red List, making poaching a punishable offense. According to experts, the rise in otter populations across riverine systems can largely be attributed to the absence of natural predators. 'Until around 2000, hunting groups from Andhra Pradesh would visit Kerala's waterbodies in search of otters. But with the tightening of wildlife conservation laws, that practice came to an abrupt end,' noted A. Jaison, former head of Wildlife Biology at the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI). 'Most practical solution' Otters inhabit rivers with dense bankside vegetation, marshes, and rocky areas. While manipulation of habitats could serve as a temporary deterrent, Dr. Jaison recommends trapping as the only currently viable option for population control. 'Capturing and relocating the animals might be the most practical solution,' he said. Aby Iype, district general secretary of the Karshaka Congress, has urged the government to officially classify otters as vermin. 'The otter menace is a serious threat not just to human life, but also to the livelihoods of those involved in aquaculture,' he pointed out.
