Assam Kaziranga’s hidden world revealed: New surveys uncover 77 fish, 108 herpetofaunal species

Guwahati: Beneath the floodplains and elephant grass of Kaziranga National Park in Assam lies an astonishing, often unseen world teeming with life.

Fresh surveys by the park authorities and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have revealed that Kaziranga is not only home to the Big Five mammals but also a thriving aquatic and amphibian paradise, hosting 77 species of freshwater fish and 108 species of amphibians and reptiles.

The reports, released on November 2 at Kohora Convention Centre by Assam Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, spotlight Kaziranga as a living laboratory of aquatic and herpetofaunal diversity. The event also marked the release of the park’s annual report and a poetry collection by Dr. Tapti Baruah Kashyap.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma celebrated the findings on social media, calling Kaziranga “a vibrant emblem of Assam’s natural heritage” and lauding the forest department’s dedication in conserving its unique ecosystem.

Fish Diversity: A Rich Aquatic Web

The fish diversity report recorded 44 species across 18 families, dominated by Cyprinidae and Danionidae — groups that sustain the Brahmaputra’s intricate aquatic food web. Combined with earlier studies, Kaziranga’s total fish count now stands at 77 species, reaffirming its role as a key refuge for freshwater biodiversity.

Among the species of conservation concern are Wallago attu (Vulnerable) and Parambassis lala (Near Threatened), alongside several other threatened species, including Ompok pabda, Chitala chitala, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Botia rostrata, and Clarias magur.

These fish not only maintain nutrient cycles but also sustain predators like otters, fishing cats, and waterbirds, vital components of Kaziranga’s ecological fabric.

However, the report also warns of rising threats from climate change, siltation, altered water regimes, and unregulated fishing, emphasizing the need for long-term monitoring and stronger conservation frameworks.

Herpetofaunal Diversity: A Bioindicator of Health

The herpetofauna report, titled “Herpetofaunal Diversity at Kaziranga”, documents 31 newly recorded species, 17 amphibians and 14 reptiles, bringing the park’s overall herpetofaunal tally to 108 species, which accounts for over 50% of the known amphibians and reptiles of Northeast India.

The survey combined traditional fieldwork with AI-based passive acoustic monitoring, a non-invasive technique used to record amphibian calls and map species richness across habitats.

This innovative approach, researchers say, is a breakthrough in ecological monitoring for amphibian populations.

Among the species highlighted are King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis), Asian Brown Tortoise (Manouria emys), and Striped Caecilian (Chiromantis assamensis, VU) — alongside rare finds like Cyrtodactylus kazirangaensis (DD) and Nilssonia nigricans (CR).

Kaziranga: More Than a Rhino Haven

Beyond its celebrated role as a rhino sanctuary, Kaziranga’s wetlands, streams, and floodplains are proving equally critical for freshwater biodiversity and ecological resilience. Experts say these findings underscore the park’s importance in maintaining genetic diversity, ecological balance, and climate adaptation in the Brahmaputra basin.

The new reports mark a significant leap in understanding the park’s hidden biodiversity, reinforcing Kaziranga’s place not just as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but as a beacon of conservation science in India’s Northeast.