The annual Asian Water Bird Census was conducted on Friday at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district. The survey saw active participation from wildlife experts, conservation organisations, students, and members of the local community. The census was jointly carried out by the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary authorities along with Aaranyak, the Assam Bird Monitoring Network, local bird watchers, and members of the Pobitora Jeep Safari Owners’ Association from Mayong. The exercise is part of a larger effort conducted across Asia every year to monitor the population and health of water birds and wetland ecosystems.
Range Forest Officer Parineeta Singh said the final count of birds will be officially declared by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam after all the data collected during the survey is carefully compiled and verified. She stated that the presence of several key migratory species during the census points to a healthy and well-preserved wetland environment within the sanctuary. During the survey, teams recorded sightings of many important migratory birds, including Bar-headed Goose, Greater and Lesser White-fronted Goose, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Falcated Duck, Tufted Duck, Grey Lag Goose, Pied Avocet, Northern Lapwing, and Black-tailed Godwit, among others.
The census was carried out by 12 teams that covered 13 wetlands and water bodies inside the sanctuary. These teams included experienced ornithologists, wildlife experts, retired forest officials, veterinarians, NGO members, and local bird enthusiasts. Renowned naturalist and bird expert Dr Anuwaruddin Choudhary also took part in the exercise.