Morigaon (Assam) [India], January 24 (HBTV): Authorities at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district on Friday conducted the Asian Water Bird Census 2026 in collaboration with Aaranyak, the Assam Bird Monitoring Network, local bird experts, students, and the Pobitora Jeep Safari Owners’ Association, Mayong.
Range Forest Officer of Pobitora Wildlife Range, Parineeta Singh, said the official results of the waterbird count would be declared by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam, after compilation of the data.
She said several notable migratory species were recorded during the survey, including Lesser White-fronted Goose, Tufted Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Falcated Duck, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Northern Pintail, Pied Avocet, Northern Shoveler, Northern Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit.
The census was carried out by 12 enumeration teams comprising experts and conservationists, including noted naturalist and ornithologist Dr Anuwaruddin Choudhary, Karuna Sarma of Kaziranga Welfare Society, retired assistant conservator of forests and former Pobitora range officer Mukul Tamuly, Dr Deba Kumar Dutta of Aaranyak’s Rhino Conservation Division, Dr Nilotpal Mahanta of We Foundation, veterinarian Dr Khanin Changmai, and local bird enthusiasts.
According to Singh, survey teams monitored 13 water bodies and beels within the sanctuary. She said the latest census showed an increase in both the number of individual birds and species, indicating a healthy and thriving ecosystem. The exercise saw participation from bird experts, student volunteers, non-governmental organisations and Assam Forest Department officials, underscoring a collaborative effort to conserve the region’s avian diversity. (ANI)