Kaziranga (Assam) [India], February 26 (HBTV): A total of 105,540 waterbirds of 107 species were recorded during the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count, 2026, across 10 ranges in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Biswanath Wildlife Division, and Nagaon Wildlife Division, officials said.
Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, Dr Sonali Ghosh, said, ‘This year the synchronized survey (undertaken from January 4 to 11) spanned 166 wetlands across 10 ranges in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Biswanath Wildlife Division, and Nagaon Wildlife Division, recording 105,540 individual waterbirds of 107 species. These included ducks/geese, waders, herons/egrets, marsh birds and others, with top abundant species like Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail and Lesser Whistling Duck leading the counts. The report highlighted targeted conservation needs with 1 critically endangered species, 1 endangered species, 2 vulnerable species and 14 near-threatened species under IUCN watchlists.’
The top five wetlands by count were Rowmari Beel (Laokhowa: 15,661 birds), Donduwa Beel (14,469), Katakhal (4,979), Sohola Combined (3,612) and Khalihamari (3,463). The top five wetlands by diversity were Rowmari (77 species), Donduwa (71), Sohola (69), Kawoimari-Bhoisamari-Diffulo (57) and Ververy (53).
Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Assam, has a conservation legacy of over 119 years. With its unique terrestrial and aquatic habitats, it is one of the country’s premier protected areas and is home to the Big Five mammals. The Tiger Reserve is also a major destination for birders, with a recorded diversity of over 500 bird species.
The waterbird count was first initiated in 2018-19 by the management authority of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve. For the last three years, Numaligarh Refinery Limited has supported the exercise through its CSR initiative, involving ornithologists, college students and photographers.
This year’s survey was conducted in phases from January 4 to 11 using standardised protocols by over 120 enumerators and 50 volunteers, staff and enthusiasts. Officials said the findings highlighted the need to safeguard the floodplain network against floods, siltation, invasive species and climate threats, describing it as one of the largest citizen science movements in the country in recent years.
Dr Ghosh said the report of the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count, 2026, was released on February 22 at JDSG College, Bokakhat. The report, compiled by the Kaziranga Park Authority in collaboration with the Assam Bird Monitoring Network team led by Dr Nilutpal Mahanta, Dr Smarajit Ojah and Dr Bishwajit Chakdar, was released by Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MP, Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency, along with other dignitaries.
Over the years, Kaziranga’s waterbird count has evolved into an important management tool for wetlands in one of India’s leading tiger reserves. Large perennial wetlands recorded high counts, while seasonal wetlands contributed to species diversity, underlining the importance of holistic river-beel conservation amid hydrological changes. The tally reaffirmed Kaziranga’s role along the Central Asian Flyway for migratory birds from Siberia and Central Asia.
Dr Nilutpal Mahanta said, ‘Smew signals wetland health in India — its vagrant status flags climate-driven range shifts and the need to protect refuelling stops amid hunting and oil pollution threats.’
Dr Smarajit Ojah added, ‘In Kaziranga’s IBAs, it underscores floodplain resilience for flyway migrants, guiding anti-encroachment efforts.’
Assam Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary wrote on X, ‘Thrilled by the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count! First-ever sighting of Smew steals the spotlight in a record-breaking census of 105,540 birds! This spectacular debut reaffirms Assam’s wetlands as vital biodiversity hotspots.’
(ANI)