Simultaneous surveys have revealed that the 1,307.49 sq. km Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve houses almost 40% of the 274 species of amphibians and reptiles, and more than 18% of the 422 species of freshwater fish recorded across the northeast.
The surveys were conducted between July and September by a team of Kaziranga officials in collaboration with scientists and researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India.
According to the surveys, the Kaziranga landscape supports 108 species of amphibians and reptiles, accounting for 39.41% of at least 274 herpetofauna species known from India’s northeastern region, comprising eight States.
Numerous wetlands of the tiger reserve also support 77 species of freshwater fish, which is more than 35% of Assam’s ichthyofauna, comprising 216 species.
“The richness of native species of fish and herpetofauna indicates that Kaziranga provides a pristine habitat to wild fauna. The diversity of amphibians and reptiles, in turn, serves as key indicators of the ecosystem health that play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance,” an official statement read.
