Kaziranga records high diversity of grassland bird species
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.
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The Hindu
2 days ago
- 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
2 days ago
- 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)
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
IIT Guwahati 2025 Convocation: 2093 graduating students; SreeHari C from BTech bags President's Medal
The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG), on July 13, hosted its 27th convocation with 2093 graduating students. The event marked the graduation of 22 students from the inaugural BTech. batch of the Mehta School of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The graduating cohort comprises a diverse and accomplished group of students across various academic disciplines. A total of 1,005 students have completed their undergraduate programmes in BTech and BDes. While 556 students have earned their postgraduate degrees in MTech and MDes. The institute also celebrates the academic journey of 270 research scholars, including those pursuing PhD and integrated Master's + PhD programmes. In addition, there are 172 MSc graduates, 51 students from the MA stream, 18 from MS (Research), and 21 MBA graduates, as mentioned in the press release. Sreehari C., BTech in Computer Science and Engineering, achieved the top score in the entire Undergraduate batch and was awarded the President of India Gold Medal. Abhishek Gautam, in Engineering Physics, received the Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma Gold Medal. Additionally, Anubhav, M. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, was awarded the Governor of Assam PG Gold Medal, while Souraja Kundu, in Electronics and Communication Engineering. was awarded the Governor of Assam UG Gold Medal. The Institute also awarded 16 students with Institute Silver medals for their remarkable academic performance. During his address, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, 'On the national and global front, IIT Guwahati has retained the 7th position among the best engineering institutions of the country, 9th position in 'Overall' and 10th position in 'Research' categories in the 'India Rankings 2024' declared by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). In QS Rankings 2026, the Institute has secured 42nd rank globally in the Research Citations per Faculty category and 334th position in the World University Rankings 2026.' Over its 31-year history, IIT Guwahati has seen over 24,700 graduates. During the reporting year, the Institute has received 338 Consultancy and 22 Sponsored Research projects. IIT Guwahati has incubated over 60 startups across diverse sectors such as healthcare, agritech, defence, clean technology, and fintech, among others. The Institute has also launched pioneering initiatives including North East Innovators' Catalyst Program, SPARSH, the Startup Seminar Series, and the AquaTech Innovators Hackathon, to strengthen the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Northeast,stated the release.
