The Asian Water Bird Census 2026 was conducted at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district, with the participation of wildlife organisations, bird experts, students and local stakeholders.
The census was organised jointly by the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary authorities, Aaranyak, the Assam Bird Monitoring Network, local bird experts, students, and the Pobitora Jeep Safari Owners’ Association, Mayong.
Range Forest Officer of Pobitora Wildlife Range, Parineeta Singh, said the official results of the census would be announced by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Assam, after the data is compiled.
She said several notable migratory waterbird species were recorded during the survey, including Lesser White-fronted Goose, Tufted Duck, Greater White-fronted Goose, Falcated Duck, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Northern Pintail, Pied Avocet, Northern Shoveler, Northern Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit.
The census was carried out by 12 enumeration teams comprising experts and conservationists. Prominent participants included noted naturalist and ornithologist Dr Anuwaruddin Choudhary; Karuna Sarma of the Kaziranga Welfare Society; former Pobitora range officer and retired assistant conservator of forests Mukul Tamuly; Dr Deba Kumar Dutta of Aaranyak’s Rhino Conservation Division; Dr Nilotpal Mahanta of We Foundation; veterinarian Dr Khanin Changmai; and several local bird enthusiasts.
According to Singh, survey teams covered 13 water bodies and beels within the sanctuary. She added that the latest census recorded an increase in both bird numbers and species diversity, indicating a healthy and thriving ecosystem. The exercise witnessed active participation from bird experts, student volunteers, non-governmental organisations and Assam Forest Department officials, highlighting a collective commitment to conserving the region’s avian diversity.