Assam’s Kaziranga to host annual Bird conservation fest this January

Sunday, December 31, 2023

The Kaziranga Bird Conservation Festival is slated to take place at Kaziranga National Park on January 9-10, 2024. According to reports, this event will incorporate the 5th waterbird census, a citizen science initiative. The festival is the outcome of a collaboration between Kaziranga National Park and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

Crafted to honor and protect the rich variety of bird species thriving in Kaziranga National Park, the festival warmly welcomes bird enthusiasts, nature lovers, college students, and members of civil society to engage actively in this celebration.

According to reports, the festival is expected to attract distinguished personalities, conservationists, and wildlife experts. It pledges an extensive lineup of live sessions, webinars, and a photography competition showcasing the diverse birdlife in Kaziranga. With a thematic focus on “Conserving Birds using Citizen Science,” the festival seeks to unite ordinary citizens, encouraging their active involvement in monitoring and safeguarding bird populations. This strategy promotes a shared responsibility for conservation, aligning with the collaborative spirit inherent in citizen science.

Over the course of four consecutive water bird surveys conducted from 2018-2019 to 2021-2022, Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve have unveiled significant congregations of resident and migratory water birds. The latest survey, conducted in 2021-2022, documented an impressive tally of 93,491 water birds belonging to 122 species, spread across 52 wetlands within the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. This represents a notable surge from the 2020 census, which reported 34,284 birds, and the 2018 count of 10,412.

Sonali Ghosh, Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, underscored the region’s avian abundance, boasting a residence for 521 species, including 62 globally threatened and near-threatened species. The park has gained acclaim for its notable water bird populations, with special mention of the bar-headed goose. Ghosh emphasized the pivotal role played by water birds in enhancing ecological diversity, serving as bioindicators, controlling pests, and acting as sentinels for potential disease outbreaks. These avian species, crucial indicators of wetland health, find vital habitats in the wetlands of the Kaziranga landscape, where they partake in activities such as feeding, resting, roosting, and foraging.

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