Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Biodiversity and Conservation, Issue: Grassland Bird Census.
Context:
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the first-ever grassland bird census conducted in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
- He praised the initiative as a significant step in conservation and biodiversity monitoring.
- The census utilized modern technology, including drones, GPS mapping, and mobile applications, to accurately record and track bird populations in the park’s grassland habitats.
Key Takeaways:
| About Kaziranga National Park Location: It is situated in the north-eastern part of India in the state of Assam. It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Terrain: It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools. Rivers: The River Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern |
The Bird Census Exercise:
- A comprehensive survey was undertaken between March 18 and May 25 by a dedicated team comprising forest officials, scientists, and conservationists.
- The primary objective was to meticulously document the grassland bird population within Kaziranga National Park.
- This initiative was sparked by the research of doctoral student Chiranjib Bora, whose study of the black-breasted parrotbill, a threatened grassland bird species, was supported by the INSPIRE fellowship from the Department of Science & Technology.
- The fellowship included acoustic monitoring tools, which Bora and Kaziranga authorities decided to leverage for a broader census of all grassland bird species within the park, a habitat that constitutes 70% of Kaziranga’s area.
Features of Bird Census:
- The survey prioritised 10 species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains.
- These species are Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Finn’s Weaver (Endangered), Swamp Grass Babbler, Jerdon’s Babbler, Slender-billed Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill, Marsh Babbler, Bristled Grassbird, and Indian Grassbird.
- It recorded a total of 43 grassland bird species, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species.
Significance and Survey of Grassland Birds:
Comprehensive Bird Census not only contributes to bird conservation efforts but also enhances our understanding of ecosystem dynamics and the importance of preserving grassland habitats.
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