Guwahati, Feb 25: The 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count has delivered a record-breaking tally of 105,540 waterbirds across 107 species, with a rare winter migrant — the Smew (Mergellus albellus) — marking its first-ever recorded sighting in the Kaziranga landscape.

Conducted from January 4 to 11, 2026, the synchronised survey covered 166 wetlands across 10 forest ranges under the Eastern Assam, Biswanath and Nagaon Wildlife Divisions. More than 120 enumerators and 50 volunteers, forest staff, students and bird enthusiasts participated, reinforcing the exercise as one of the largest citizen-science conservation movements in the region.

The report was formally released on February 22 at JDSG College, Bokakhat, by Kaziranga MP Shri Kamakhya Tasa, IUCN SSC Chair Vivek Menon, and senior officials including Shivani Jerngal.

It was compiled by the Kaziranga Park Authority in collaboration with the Assam Bird Monitoring Network team led by Dr Nilutpal Mahanta, Dr Smarajit Ojah and Dr Bishwajit Chakdar.

The biggest highlight this year was the sighting of the Smew, a striking black-and-white diving duck that breeds in the Eurasian taiga and winters in select wetlands of northern and central India. Its presence in the Rowmari–Donduwa beels of Laokhowa and parts of the core Kaziranga area is considered a significant range record for Assam.

Ornithologists say the species’ appearance may reflect shifting migratory patterns and changing wetland conditions. The Smew, globally estimated at around 130,000 mature individuals, is facing a gradual decline due to habitat loss and degradation across its range.

Conservationists noted that its arrival underscores the ecological importance of Kaziranga’s floodplain wetlands along the Central Asian Flyway.

The survey documented ducks, geese, waders, herons, egrets and marsh birds, with Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail and Lesser Whistling Duck among the most abundant species.

Top Wetlands by Bird Count:

Rowmari Beel (Laokhowa): 15,661

Donduwa Beel: 14,469

Katakhal: 4,979

Sohola Combined: 3,612

Khalihamari: 3,463

Top Wetlands by Species Diversity:

Rowmari: 77 species

Donduwa: 71

Sohola: 69

Kawoimari–Bhoisamari–Diffulo: 57

Ververy: 53

The count also recorded species of conservation concern, including one Critically Endangered, one Endangered, two Vulnerable and 14 Near-Threatened species, highlighting the park’s continued global significance.

Initiated in 2018–19 by the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve authority, the annual waterbird count has evolved into a vital monitoring tool for wetland management.

Assam Forest and Environment Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary described the milestone as a proud moment, stating that the Smew’s debut in a record-breaking census reaffirms Assam’s wetlands as critical biodiversity hotspots.

Also Read: BJP to launch 400-km Jan Ashirwad Yatra to seek people’s blessings ahead of Assam Assembly polls

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