First-ever Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga National Park
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: Prime Minister of India highlighted the first-ever Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga National Park during his Mann ki Baat, praising its innovative use of acoustic technology and its role in biodiversity conservation.
About First-ever Grassland Bird Census in Kaziranga National Park:
• What is it? A landmark bird population survey aimed specifically at grassland-dwelling birds in Kaziranga National Park (Assam), covering the period from March 18 to May 25, 2025.
• A landmark bird population survey aimed specifically at grassland-dwelling birds in Kaziranga National Park (Assam), covering the period from March 18 to May 25, 2025.
• Who conducted it? Jointly undertaken by:
• Jointly undertaken by:
• Forest department officials Researchers including INSPIRE fellow Chiranjib Bora Conservationists and Kaziranga park authorities
• Forest department officials Researchers including INSPIRE fellow Chiranjib Bora Conservationists and Kaziranga park authorities
• Forest department officials
• Researchers including INSPIRE fellow Chiranjib Bora
• Conservationists and Kaziranga park authorities
• Objectives of the Census:
• Monitor population of grassland bird species Identify rare, endemic, and globally threatened species Map breeding patterns and ecological health of the habitat
• Monitor population of grassland bird species
• Identify rare, endemic, and globally threatened species
• Map breeding patterns and ecological health of the habitat
• Methodology and Innovation:
• Passive Acoustic Monitoring: Recorders placed on tall trees captured birdcalls during the breeding season (March–May). Audio Identification Tools: Spectrogram analysis for visualizing sound frequencies AI-based BirdNET software to identify bird species by song Coverage: Surveyed 29 locations using six recorders over three-day cycles
• Passive Acoustic Monitoring: Recorders placed on tall trees captured birdcalls during the breeding season (March–May).
• Audio Identification Tools: Spectrogram analysis for visualizing sound frequencies AI-based BirdNET software to identify bird species by song
• Spectrogram analysis for visualizing sound frequencies
• AI-based BirdNET software to identify bird species by song
• Coverage: Surveyed 29 locations using six recorders over three-day cycles
• Key Features of the Census:
• First of its kind in India: Focused exclusively on grassland bird species, often underrepresented in conventional bird surveys. Data-Driven Approach: Documented 43 species, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable birds as per the IUCN Red List. Conservation Breakthrough: Discovery of over 85 nests of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains. Ecological Indicator Role: Presence of grassland birds indicates healthy habitat quality, similar to BMI as a health marker. Highlight on Threats: Census underlined habitat loss due to ecological succession, overgrazing, cultivation, and climate change impacts.
• First of its kind in India: Focused exclusively on grassland bird species, often underrepresented in conventional bird surveys.
• Data-Driven Approach: Documented 43 species, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable birds as per the IUCN Red List.
• Conservation Breakthrough: Discovery of over 85 nests of the endangered Finn’s Weaver, endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains.
• Ecological Indicator Role: Presence of grassland birds indicates healthy habitat quality, similar to BMI as a health marker.
• Highlight on Threats: Census underlined habitat loss due to ecological succession, overgrazing, cultivation, and climate change impacts.