Kaziranga National Park recently made headlines with its first-ever grassland bird census using innovative acoustic technology, alongside a significant increase in its tiger population.
Kaziranga’s Pioneering Bird Census
From March to May, Kaziranga National Park in Assam conducted its inaugural grassland bird census. This groundbreaking survey involved a dedicated team of forest officials, scientists, and conservationists.
The census even caught the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who highlighted it during his “Mann ki Baat” radio address. This recognition underscores the importance of this conservation effort.
Innovative Monitoring Technologies
A key highlight of the survey was the use of a new methodology: passive acoustic recording monitoring. Traditional visual counting methods often struggle with small, shy, and camouflaged grassland birds.
Acoustic recorders were strategically placed in tall trees near grasslands during the birds’ breeding season. This is when birds are most vocal, calling for mates and defending their territories, making their sounds ideal for recording.
Advanced tools like spectrograms, which visually represent sound, and the AI-powered Birdnet tool were then used to identify species from the recorded audio. This high-tech approach provided valuable insights into the bird population.
Spotlight on Threatened Species
The census identified a remarkable 43 grassland bird species. This impressive count includes one Critically Endangered, two Endangered, and six Vulnerable species, as per the IUCN Red List.
A particularly exciting discovery was a breeding colony of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, a species unique to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Its presence indicates a healthy habitat.
According to Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park, grassland birds serve as vital indicators of an ecosystem’s health. Their thriving presence signals a robust and well-maintained habitat.
The Underrated Importance of Grasslands
Grasslands, home to thousands of grass species, cover vast areas globally and support diverse animal life. They flourish in regions with moderate rainfall, providing crucial ecological services.
These unsung heroes store water and carbon, recycle chemicals, and help regulate the climate. Crucially, they feed both livestock and wild herbivores, forming the base of many food webs.
In India, nearly a quarter of the landmass is grassland, ranging from Himalayan alpine meadows to the unique floating ‘phumdis’ of Manipur. Despite their significance, most Indian grasslands lack legal protection and face degradation.
Kaziranga’s Roaring Tiger Success
Beyond birds, Kaziranga National Park recently celebrated another conservation win: a significant increase in its tiger population. A Phase IV monitoring initiative identified 148 tigers within the reserve.
This marks a notable rise from 104 tigers in 2022 and even fewer in previous years. This increase positions Kaziranga with the world’s third-highest tiger density, trailing only Corbett and Bandipur Tiger Reserves.
The survey involved 103 days of extensive camera trapping across a large area, capturing thousands of images. These images allowed experts to identify individual tigers based on their unique stripe patterns.
Despite these successes, challenges remain, including habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and the pressures of agricultural expansion around the reserve.
- Kaziranga conducted its first-ever grassland bird census.
- Acoustic monitoring was a key innovative technique used in the survey.
- The census identified 43 bird species, including nine threatened ones.
- A breeding colony of the endangered Finn’s Weaver was discovered.
- Kaziranga’s tiger population increased to 148, making it the third most dense in the world.
These findings highlight Kaziranga’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation and its crucial role in protecting India’s rich wildlife.
