Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Guwahati: The sighting of a lone Lesser Adjutant Stork at Bill Pathar wetland near Saikhowa Ghat on the fringes of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park has sparked concern among bird enthusiasts and conservationists over the declining population of the near-threatened species in Upper Assam.
Locals said the solitary bird has been regularly seen foraging in the marshy wetland throughout the day and has become a familiar presence in the area.
Residents recalled that Lesser Adjutant Storks were once commonly spotted in groups around wetlands and riverine grasslands, but such sightings have now become increasingly uncommon due to shrinking habitats and rising human interference in floodplain ecosystems.
The Lesser Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) is categorised as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species is generally found in freshwater wetlands, swamp forests, marshes and riverbanks across Assam and parts of Southeast Asia.
Wildlife experts attribute the decline in their numbers to wetland encroachment, habitat degradation, pollution and disturbances in nesting and feeding areas. Global estimates indicate that only around 5,000 to 15,000 mature birds remain in the wild.
Locals near Saikhowa Ghat said villagers have been protecting the bird and ensuring that it is not disturbed while feeding in the wetland.
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and is home to more than 380 species of birds, including Lesser and Greater Adjutant Storks, migratory waterfowl and several globally threatened species.
Conservationists said the continued presence of the lone stork in the Bill Pathar wetland underlines the ecological importance of the Brahmaputra floodplain wetlands and highlights the urgent need for stronger conservation and habitat protection measures.