Guwahati, Nov 6 (NationPress) Beneath and along the iconic grasslands of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, recognized as India’s seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site, a vibrant ecosystem of fish, amphibians, and reptiles flourishes, highlighting the park’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) Director Sonali Ghosh disclosed that a swift survey undertaken by the Kaziranga Park authority uncovered an impressive collection of 77 species of freshwater fish, which constitutes a significant portion of Assam’s total of 216 native fish species, contributing to the Northeast’s remarkable diversity of 422 indigenous fish species.

Additionally, the park is home to 108 different species of amphibians and reptiles, significantly surpassing the 70-plus herpetofauna documented in other regions of the state and enriching the 274-plus herpetofaunal species recognized across the northeast.

This survey, conducted between July and September of this year in partnership with scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), reflects a rapid yet meaningful step towards enhancing ecological knowledge of this esteemed UNESCO World Heritage site, Ghosh noted.

She emphasized that the unique species and the abundance of native fish and herpetofauna indicate that Kaziranga is providing an untouched habitat for wildlife.

The variety of amphibians and reptiles also serves as crucial indicators of ecosystem vitality, playing essential roles in sustaining ecological balance, the senior Indian Forest Service (IFS) official remarked. She added that these surveys represent a significant advancement in understanding the ecology of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

During a ceremonial event at the Kohora Convention Centre earlier this week, Assam’s Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary released the reports alongside other publications, including the KNPTR annual report and a poetry anthology by Dr. Tapti Baruah Kashyap.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated the dedicated efforts of the Forest Department’s personnel and frontline staff of the KNPTR through a social media post, sharing a video and a message of appreciation.

"Kaziranga National Park is a vibrant symbol of Assam’s natural legacy. Nestled in the core of a unique wilderness, this area teems with an extraordinary variety of rare species. It's uplifting to see that a recent survey has identified 108 species of herpetofauna here, which represents a substantial share of the 274 species of amphibians and reptiles found throughout Northeast India. This achievement is a testament to the ongoing conservation efforts by our government and the dedicated work of the forest department’s officers and frontline staff, who are committed to preserving this invaluable ecosystem," he stated.

Regarding the fish survey findings, KNPTR Director Ghosh mentioned that 44 fish species from 18 families were identified, with Cyprinidae and Danionidae being the most prevalent families. When combined with previous studies, Kaziranga’s total ichthyofaunal diversity reaches 77 unique species, confirming its position as a vital refuge for freshwater biodiversity within the Brahmaputra basin.

The report emphasizes the ecological significance of fish in maintaining nutrient cycles, food webs, and habitat connectivity, while also supporting species such as otters, fishing cats, and waterbirds.

It further highlights risks posed by climate change, siltation, hydrological alterations, and unregulated fishing, urging for ongoing monitoring and stronger conservation strategies.

Kaziranga’s aquatic ecosystems are as crucial as its grasslands and forests, reaffirming the park’s role as a living laboratory for freshwater biodiversity and as a benchmark for integrated wetland and floodplain management.

Ghosh remarked that the Herpetofauna survey report details the diversity of amphibians and reptiles, collectively known as herpetofauna, within and around Kaziranga. This study was carried out cooperatively by forest officials, frontline staff, scientists, and researchers, showcasing a unified effort to document and comprehend Kaziranga’s herpetofaunal diversity. The survey recorded 31 herpetofaunal species, consisting of 17 amphibians and 14 reptiles, from 19 genera and 14 families. Amphibians were most abundant along forest trails and stream habitats, while reptiles exhibited greater richness in stream zones.

Alongside visual surveys, the study incorporated AI-based (passive acoustic monitoring) methods to capture amphibian calls in potential breeding sites. This non-invasive bioacoustic technique effectively documented species richness patterns across various habitat types and demonstrated the efficacy of acoustic methods in amphibian monitoring.

The report consolidates both new and historical records, bringing the total checklist of herpetofaunal species in Kaziranga to 108, including threatened species such as the King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis), and Asian Brown Tortoise (Manouria emys), along with the rare Striped Caecilian, Chiromantis assamensis (VU), Cyrtodactylus kazirangaensis (DD), found exclusively in Kaziranga, Nilssonia nigricans (CR), and Varanus flavescens (EN).