Kaziranga Survey Records 945 Freshwater Turtles Along Brahmaputra, Flags Critical Habitats

 A scientific survey conducted along the Brahmaputra River passing through Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has recorded 945 freshwater turtles, underscoring the ecological significance of the riverine landscape and identifying several critical habitats that require focused conservation efforts. The findings emerged from the 5th Annual Aquatic Fauna Survey, jointly carried out by the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve authorities and the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP) between January 14 and 18. The survey covered a 174-kilometre stretch of the Brahmaputra and its associated channels within the Kaziranga landscape. According to officials, the turtles documented belong to seven species, comprising 876 hardshell turtles and 69 softshell turtles. Among the notable sightings was the critically endangered Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans), a species endemic to the Brahmaputra basin, along with other softshell species confirmed through photographic evidence. The survey also identified six potential nesting sites for turtles of the Pangshura genus, based on indirect indicators such as trails and claw marks on sandbanks. Experts noted that the Kaziranga landscape supports 17 of India’s 32 freshwater turtle and tortoise species, making it one of the most important habitats for turtle conservation in the country. In addition to turtles, the survey recorded 92 species of birds and sightings of aquatic mammals such as the Gangetic river dolphin and smooth-coated otter. Based on species diversity, habitat condition and levels of human disturbance, researchers identified five priority habitats for conservation intervention. Officials said the dynamic nature of the Brahmaputra, with its shifting channels and sandbars, highlights the need for long-term monitoring to better understand population trends and habitat changes. They also pointed to ongoing conservation initiatives, including community-led turtle protection programmes in nearby districts, where local volunteers assist in protecting nests and releasing hatchlings. Conservation experts said the survey reinforces the importance of safeguarding the Brahmaputra’s riverine ecosystem, which supports a wide range of threatened species, and called for sustained efforts to protect critical habitats within and around Kaziranga National Park.