Fri Dec 20 14:47:09 UTC 2024: ## Assam Bird Sanctuary Sees Dramatic 72% Drop in Avian Species Over 27 Years
**GUWAHATI, Assam –** A new study reveals a drastic decline in bird species at the Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS) in northeastern Assam. The research, published in the *Journal of Threatened Taxa*, shows a 71.85% decrease in avian diversity since 1997, with the most significant drop occurring since 2018.
Researchers from North Lakhimpur conducted a survey over 18 months, documenting only 47 bird species across 29 families, a stark contrast to the 167 species recorded in 1997. The study attributes this decline to several human activities, including overfishing, excessive harvesting of aquatic plants, poaching of birds and eggs, and the encroachment of the sanctuary for agricultural use and grazing. The noise from agricultural machinery near the water’s edge also appears to be impacting bird populations.
The researchers highlight the impact of these actions on the wetland ecosystem, pointing to disruptions in the food chain, decreased migratory bird populations, and a slower nutrient cycle. They strongly advocate for intensive conservation efforts to protect the sanctuary and its remaining birdlife.
Assam, known for its rich biodiversity and home to approximately 950 bird species, possesses 55 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. The dramatic decline at BBBS serves as a warning of the urgent need for conservation measures to preserve this vital ecosystem.
First Piper 