Kaziranga: Beneath the vast grasslands and wetlands of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) lies a thriving aquatic world teeming with biodiversity. A rapid ecological survey conducted between July and September this year has revealed an impressive 77 species of freshwater fish and 108 species of amphibians and reptiles, highlighting the park’s crucial role in sustaining the rich biodiversity of the Brahmaputra floodplains.
Announcing the findings, KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh said the survey, conducted in collaboration with scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), underscores Kaziranga’s pristine and ecologically balanced habitat. “The richness of native fish and herpetofauna shows that Kaziranga continues to provide an ideal environment for diverse aquatic and terrestrial life,” she noted.
Of the 77 fish species documented, 44 belong to 18 families, with Cyprinidae and Danionidae emerging as the most dominant. When combined with earlier research, Kaziranga now represents one of the most significant refuges for freshwater biodiversity in the Brahmaputra basin.
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The park’s 108 recorded amphibian and reptile species far exceed the 70-plus herpetofauna found elsewhere in Assam and contribute to the 274 species known from the entire Northeast, making Kaziranga a hotspot of ecological variety.
The reports were officially released at a ceremony held at the Kohora Convention Centre, where Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary also launched KNPTR’s Annual Report and a poetry collection by Dr. Tapti Baruah Kashyap.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma praised the findings on social media, calling Kaziranga a “vibrant emblem of Assam’s natural heritage.” He lauded the relentless efforts of the Forest Department’s officers and frontline staff for their dedication to conservation. “It is heartening to note that a recent survey has identified 108 species of herpetofauna here, representing a significant share of the region’s diversity,” he wrote.
Experts emphasize that these findings not only reaffirm Kaziranga’s global ecological importance but also provide deeper insight into the health of its wetland ecosystems, where fish, frogs, and reptiles play a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance of life across Assam’s most iconic natural landscape.
