The Kaziranga National Park, known for its expansive wildlife reserve, hosted its second wetland bird count from the 9th to 10th of January 2020. The park previously conducted its first wetland bird survey in 2018, making the recent one a stepping stone in the conservation efforts of the park.
Key Findings from the Bird Count
The latest bird count reported a total of 19,225 birds within the park belonging to 96 species under 80 families. This turnout is significant as it surpasses that of the 2018 count. Having 96 species of wetland birds ranks Kaziranga among the national parks with the richest bird diversity in India.
Range-Wise Distribution
The bird count didn’t leave any stone unturned, as it covered all four ranges of the park: Agoratoli, Bagori, Kohora, and Burapahar. Interestingly, over half of the birds, precisely 9,924, and 85 of the 96 species were recorded in the Agoratoli Range. This high concentration can be attributed to Sohola, the biggest of Kaziranga’s 92 perennial wetlands, being located in this range.
Kaziranga National Park: A Brief Overview
Situated in the State of Assam, the Kaziranga National Park spans across an impressive 42,996 ha. The park stands out as the single most undisturbed and representative locale in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
Table: Important Features of Kaziranga National Park
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Legal Status | National Park (since 1974), Tiger Reserve (since 2007) |
| International Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site (declared in 1985), Important Bird Area by BirdLife International |
| Total Tiger Reserve Area | 1,030 sq km (with a core area of 430 sq. km) |
Significant Species Found in the Park
The Kaziranga National Park is home to many unique species. It boasts of having the world’s largest single population of one-horned rhinos. The park’s primary conservation focus lies on its ‘big four’ species—rhino, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asiatic water buffalo. The 2018 census recorded about 2,413 rhinos and approximately 1,100 elephants. According to the tiger census of 2014, Kaziranga had an estimated 103 tigers, ranking third highest in India after Jim Corbett National Park with 215 in Uttarakhand, and Bandipur National Park with 120 in Karnataka. In addition, Kaziranga is also home to 9 of the 14 species of primates found in the Indian subcontinent.
Rivers and Highways: The Park’s Landscape
Kaziranga’s geographical terrain includes the National Highway 37 passing through the park area and over 250 seasonal water bodies. The Diphlu River also cuts across it, adding to the park’s rich biodiversity.
Last Modified: February 7, 2024