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**NEWS ARTICLE**

**Kaziranga National Park Unveils “Overlooked” Biodiversity: Insect and Spider Survey Reveals Rich Ecosystem**

**Guwahati, India – September 27, 2025** – Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, famed as the world’s premier sanctuary for the one-horned rhino, has announced the findings of a new survey highlighting the park’s rich and previously underappreciated insect and spider populations.

The rapid assessment, conducted by entomologists from The Corbett Foundation in collaboration with Kaziranga’s forest personnel, documented a remarkable 283 species of insects and spiders within the tiger reserve’s woodland habitat. The report was officially released yesterday by Member of Parliament Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLA Mrinal Saikia, and Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Vinay Gupta.

The study identified 254 species of insects and 29 species of spiders, underscoring the critical role these creatures play in the park’s overall ecosystem health. Butterflies and moths accounted for the largest group of insects with 85 species, followed by ants, bees, and wasps (40 species) and beetles (35 species).

“Conducted through visual estimation with photographs using scientific sampling methods, this landmark survey reveals the park’s often-overlooked micro-faunal richness and establishes a vital baseline for future research and conservation,” Chandra Mohan Patowary, Assam’s Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister, stated.

Park officials emphasized the ecological importance of these invertebrates. They facilitate seed dispersal, maintain soil health, aid in plant regeneration, and constitute the foundation of the food web that supports Kaziranga’s iconic wildlife, including its “Big Five” species: the Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, and eastern swamp deer.

“Worldwide, nearly 40% of insect species are in decline due to habitat loss, deforestation, and climate change,” explained Sonali Ghosh, Director of the tiger reserve. “While Kaziranga is celebrated for its megafauna, this study shows that its resilience depends just as much on the small pollinators, soil aerators, and natural pest-controllers that keep the ecosystem functioning.”

The findings reinforce Kaziranga’s status as a biodiversity hotspot and highlight the urgency of insect conservation efforts, especially in the face of accelerating species loss due to climate change. The Assam State Government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has reaffirmed its commitment to conserving all forms of biodiversity within the park, including these vital but often-overlooked life forms.

Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos (2,613 individuals as of the last count) and boasts the third-highest density of tigers in the world.

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