Guwahat: In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat aired this Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated Assam’s Kaziranga National Park for conducting its first-ever grassland bird census, calling it a “commendable initiative for ecological research and conservation.” The Prime Minister’s mention has brought national attention to a crucial scientific effort in India’s biodiversity-rich northeast.
“Kaziranga, already renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros, has now emerged as a key hub for grassland avian biodiversity. The recent bird survey highlights how India’s natural heritage is much richer than we often realize,” Prime Minister Modi said in the broadcast.
The first grassland bird census at Kaziranga was conducted between March 18 and May 25, 2025, covering 185 grassland plots across the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Biswanath Division, and Nagaon Division. The study area comprised floodplain grasslands, an often-overlooked ecosystem essential to birds, mammals, and other wildlife.
During the intensive survey, researchers recorded 43 species of grassland birds, including 1 critically endangered, 2 endangered, and 6 vulnerable species, as per the IUCN Red List. Several species were also found to be endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains, indicating the ecological uniqueness of the region.
The most remarkable finding of the census was the discovery of a breeding colony of the endangered Finn’s Weaver (Ploceus megarhynchus) in Kaziranga’s Kohora Range. This master nest-builder, rarely observed in the wild, is a significant indicator of the health and stability of the park’s grassland ecosystem.
Kaziranga’s Field Director Dr. Sonali Ghosh, who led the initiative, said, “This census reflects our commitment to long-term ecological monitoring. It highlights that conservation in Kaziranga extends beyond large mammals to the delicate but crucial world of grassland birds.”
The survey placed special emphasis on ten priority species of global or regional conservation concern — including the Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Slender-billed Babbler, and Black-breasted Parrotbill — many of which are grassland specialists facing habitat loss across South Asia.
To achieve scientific accuracy, the team employed a dual approach — traditional point-count surveys alongside passive acoustic monitoring. The latter involved placing devices to record bird calls round-the-clock, enabling detection of elusive species even in remote areas.
The census was a collaborative effort involving leading Indian ornithologists such as Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, and experts from Aaranyak, WII, WWF-India, and other research organisations. The official report was released on July 11, in the presence of Assam’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Following the Prime Minister’s mention, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X (formerly Twitter) to thank him for spotlighting Kaziranga’s ecological work. “Just a while back, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji in #MannKiBaat spoke about the @kaziranga_ Grassland Bird Survey. This first-of-its-kind initiative shows Assam’s growing leadership in biodiversity conservation,” Sarma posted.
Experts believe this recognition from the highest level of government will catalyse more such studies and sustained conservation action. The survey is expected to serve as a blueprint for other protected areas with similar habitats across India.
As Prime Minister Modi summed it up: “This kind of scientific initiative strengthens our resolve to protect and cherish India’s rich natural heritage. It’s not just about protecting animals but about understanding ecosystems.”
– With Kaziranga’s grasslands now under the scientific lens, India’s conservation story gets a vital new chapter — one that celebrates not only tigers and rhinos but also the melodies of the grass.