15 Jan, 2024

Latest Census Data Reveals a 27% Increase in Migratory Birds at Kaziranga National Park

Great news for birdwatchers who are planning a winter vacation at Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Park is home to a sizable population of one-horned rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tigers. Apart from that, the national park is great for birdwatching in Assam. The census counted on the 9th and 10th of January came up with some good news about the 27% increase in resident and migratory birds in Kaziranga National Park.

The initiative was supported by volunteers from over 30 educational institutions, NGOs, and several other organizations, making it one of the greatest initiatives taken towards birdwatching tourism.

About Kaziranga Bird Watching Tourism in Assam

The region of Assam is mostly made up of grasslands, swampy areas and wetlands, and is recognised as one of the most important bird watching locations in Kaziranga, India. The park attracts an abundance of tourists every year, mainly because of the one-horned rhinos (2,613 according to 2023 census). Currently, the Kaziranga National Park is also focusing on its other attractions, including the bird species.

Among the several bird sanctuaries in Assam, Kaziranga is well known for its high diversity of bird species. The Bombay Natural History Society and BirdLife International have listed this as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because of its exceptional ecological balance of biodiversity. BirdLife International keeps an international inventory of IBAs.

Findings of the 5th Waterbird Census

The 5th waterbird census that occurred on the 9th and 10th of January was conducted across 115 water bodies spanning around 3 divisions of the reserve. A total of 84,839 birds in Kaziranga National Park have been counted since the last count of 66,776 in 2021-22 covering an area of 1,302 square kilometers. The findings led to the tiger reserve now placed among the ‘top five’ migratory bird watching destinations in the country.

A variety of unique, rare and endangered species have been reported during the 5th census which includes Baer’s pochard, Baikal teal, Gull-billed tern, greater white-fronted goose, Pallas’s gull, Black stork, Greater scaup, Cotton Pygmy goose and several other stunning species as stated by the park authorities.

Kaziranga News Inputs.