Kaziranga’s Hidden Treasures: Survey Reveals Rich Grassland Bird Diversity

✍️ By Suryavanshi IAS | 📍 15 July 2025

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🗞️ In the News:

Kaziranga National Park, globally famous for its one-horned rhinoceros, has now gained attention for something more delicate — its rich grassland bird diversity.

Between March 18 and May 25, 2025, researchers, forest officials, and ornithologists conducted the first dedicated survey of grassland birds across Kaziranga’s three wildlife divisions. The result? An impressive count of 43 grassland-dependent bird species, including several endangered and vulnerable species.

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📌 Why It Matters:

• First comprehensive survey of its kind in the Brahmaputra floodplains.

• Highlights Kaziranga’s ecological diversity beyond megafauna.

• Reinforces the conservation value of grasslands, often neglected in Indian wildlife discourse.

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🗺️ About Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve:

Feature	Details
Location	Assam (Northeastern India)
Area	1,174 sq. km
UNESCO Status	World Heritage Site (1985)
Biosphere Type	Mix of wetlands, forestlands, grasslands
Famous for	One-horned rhinos, tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer

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🦜 Key Species Documented in the Survey:

🔴 Critically Endangered

• Bengal Florican

🔶 Endangered

• Finn’s Weaver (locally: Tukura Chorai)

  Master nest-builder, breeds on treetops, indicator of grassland health.

• Swamp Grass Babbler

⚠️ Vulnerable Species (6)

• Black-breasted Parrotbill

• Marsh Babbler

• Swamp Francolin

• Jerdon’s Babbler

• Slender-billed Babbler

• Bristled Grassbird

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🎙️ New Tools Used: Passive Acoustic Monitoring

A major innovation in this study was the use of passive acoustic recorders. These devices:

• Monitor non-invasively over long durations

• Help detect shy, cryptic or rare bird species

• Work well in difficult or dangerous terrains

This enabled deeper ecological understanding compared to conventional visual surveys.

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🔬 Scientific Significance:

• Fills the gap in wet grassland bird data — previously under-researched in India

• Establishes comparative diversity with dry grasslands of Gujarat & Rajasthan

• Demonstrates role of Kaziranga’s habitat mosaic (grassland, wetland, forest) in species richness

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🌱 Why Grasslands Deserve Attention:

Often mistaken as ‘wastelands’, grasslands:

• Support unique biodiversity

• Serve as carbon sinks

• Are critical for ground-nesting species and migratory birds

• Are among the most threatened habitats in India

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🧠 Relevance to UPSC Syllabus:

GS Paper III – Environment:

• Conservation of biodiversity

• Ecosystem and habitat studies

• Use of technology in wildlife conservation

GS Paper I – Geography:

• Vegetation types: Grasslands vs. Forestlands

• Wetland ecosystems of Brahmaputra floodplains

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📝 Previous Year UPSC Questions:

🔹 Prelims 2020

Q. Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?
(Not directly related but tests park-level detail)

🔸 Prelims 2019

Q. With reference to India’s biodiversity, consider the following statements:

1. Ghatiana and Ghatophryne are endemic to Western Ghats.

2. Parantica sita is endemic to Nicobar Islands.

Answer: 1 only ✅

📝 Learning: UPSC asks about species + habitat specificity — like Bengal Florican in grasslands.

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🔖 Likely UPSC Questions (Practice):

Prelims Practice Q:

Q. Consider the following bird species recorded in Kaziranga’s 2025 survey:

1. Bengal Florican

2. Finn’s Weaver

3. Swamp Grass Babbler

4. Black-necked Crane

Which of the above are associated with grassland habitats?
A) 1, 2 and 3 only ✅
B) 1 and 4 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) All of the above

📝 Explanation: Black-necked Crane is found in Ladakh’s alpine wetlands, not Kaziranga grasslands.

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Mains Practice Q (GS III):

Q. Grasslands in India are often overlooked in conservation efforts. Discuss their ecological importance in light of the recent bird diversity findings from Kaziranga National Park.

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🧾 Keywords for Notes/Prelims:

• Finn’s Weaver

• Bengal Florican

• Passive acoustic monitoring

• Wet grasslands

• Brahmaputra floodplains

• Kaziranga grassland bird survey 2025

• Tukura Chorai (local name)

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🌍 Conclusion by Suryavanshi IAS:

Kaziranga’s rhinos may dominate headlines, but its fragile grasslands and feathered inhabitants are just as vital. The 2025 survey is not just a scientific document — it’s a reminder of the richness hidden in India’s least celebrated ecosystems.

💡 Conservation begins with recognition.
Let’s not let our grasslands go unheard — literally and ecologically.