Asian Water Bird Census 2025: Bird Count at Deepor Beel Sees Increase

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The Asian Water Bird Census 2025 conducted on Thursday at Deepor Beel in Guwahati has revealed that the number of such birds registered an increase over last year’s count.

The census of 2025, organized by the Guwahati Wildlife Division of the Assam Forest Department, recorded a total count of 12,245 birds of 105 species at Deepor Beel. In the census of 2024, a total of 11,271 birds across 155 species were recorded at the Ramsar site. The number of birds recorded in the past two censuses was, however, much less than that recorded in 2023, when 26,747 birds were counted.

A press communiqué from the Divisional Forest Officer, Guwahati Wildlife Division at Basistha, said, “On the morning of 9th January 2025, the Guwahati Wildlife Division organized the Asian Water Bird Census 2025 at Deepor Beel, Assam’s only Ramsar site. The census recorded an impressive 12,245 birds across 105 species using the Visual Encounter Survey methodology. The exercise was successfully conducted with the active participation of bird experts, student volunteers, members of NGOs, and forest officials of the Assam Forest Department. Notably, Dr. Anwaruddin Choudhury, Retd. IAS and eminent ornithologist, was also present during the census.”

This Asian Water Bird Census 2025 reveals the remarkable species diversity of Deepor Beel, said P. Monica Kishore, Divisional Forest Officer of Guwahati Wildlife Division, while thanking all the volunteers for their active participation in documenting the avifauna of this vital wetland ecosystem.

During the Asian Water Bird Census 2025 recently, the entire Deepor Beel wetland was divided into blocks for more efficient estimation of the birds.

This is the ‘bird season’ in Assam and it lasts until the mid part of February. Migratory birds arrive in the state from different places around the world and stay for the duration of the winter season. The wetlands in Assam are a favourite destination for migratory birds.

The next part of the Asian Water Bird Census 2025 in Assam will be held in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Also Read: Assam: Deepor Beel Community Fishing begins in Guwahati City

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