Guwahati, June 20: It has been a happy monsoon for Kaziranga National Park!!!

With the onset of the monsoon season, Kaziranga reverberates with the sounds of frogs calling in the night. Collectively known as herpetofauna, the species of reptiles and amphibians are least studied but at the same time most vulnerable to climate change. The lesser-known taxa play a crucial role as indicator species for the environment and also for control of pests and for food and recreation.

In a rapid herpetofauna survey conducted from June 14 to 17, the first record of the Striped Caecilian (Ichthyophis spp ) was made. Caecilians are limbless amphibians that spend most of their life burrowed under soil. They are therefore least studied of the amphibian species. As they are ancient species, their presence holds critical linkages to evolution and intercontinental speciation.

Caecilians are a separate group of amphibians classed under the order Apoda. Their key identifiable feature is their apparent lack of external limbs, though degenerate limbs are present in most species.

They are wormlike, burrowing animals, with smooth, moist skin which appears narrowly segmented. The eyes are small and covered with skin, and their visual perception is limited to determining between light and dark. They can take in oxygen both through their skin and lungs.

Their subterranean lifestyle means they are rarely encountered except, perhaps, after heavy rainfall or in areas of recently disturbed soil.

” It needs more study,” says Kaziranga Park director Sonali Ghosh.

Kaziranga with its total area of 1307.49 sq. km and varying ecosystem comprising of flood plains, wetlands, grasslands, and hill tracks in the periphery provides an ideal habitat for herpetofauna. 24 species of Amphibians and 74 species of reptiles had been reported from the park in 2010. Further 29 species of tortoises and freshwater turtles occur in India, out of which 21 species have been reported from Kaziranga making it the highest in the country.

The Chief Minister Assam office posted the recent survey on their social media with the caption ‘ Amazing Kaziranga, awesome Assam- some unique species of herpetofauna recorded recently’.

The rapid survey was conducted with the support of herpetofauna experts namely, Dr Saibal Sengupta of Assam Don Bosco University, Dr Abhijit Das of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dr Rajeev Basumatary and Dr. Samrat Sengupta of D.R. College, Golaghat, Dr Jaydev Mandal of Madhab Choudhury College, Barpeta, Dr. Jayaditya Purkayastha of Help Earth, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy of Aaranyak, Sushmita Kar of Turtle Survival Alliance-Foundation.

Further, a training and sensitization program aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of forest personnel in herpetofauna identification and conservation, ensuring better management and protection of these vital species was also held. Participants received hands-on training and engaged in field surveys, contributing to a deeper understanding of the park’s herpetofauna diversity. Snake rescue and preventing snake bites were also discussed as part of the monsoon patrol.

A photographic checklist on reptiles and amphibians of Kaziranga was also released during the occasion.

Our @kaziranga_ is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Apart from the mighty tigers, the gentle rhinos, the jolly elephants, it also holds numerous other species like the striped caecilian recorded recently, 17 turtle species and various unique species of herpetofauna. pic.twitter.com/Db2NkoaEHD

— Chief Minister Assam (@CMOfficeAssam) June 19, 2024

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