Guwahati: A scientific survey along a 174-km stretch of the Brahmaputra River flowing through Assam’s Kaziranga Tiger Reserve has documented 945 freshwater turtles, underlining the river’s global importance as a freshwater biodiversity hotspot and a critical refuge for endangered species.
The findings are part of the 5th Annual Aquatic Fauna Survey, conducted jointly by Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve and the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP). The survey report was released on the eve of National Tourism Day during a Training Workshop on Natural World Heritage Sites held at Kaziranga on January 24.
The report was formally released by Dr Vinay Gupta, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam, in the presence of senior Kaziranga officials, members of the WII–C2C team, and Ms Sushmita Kar, Coordinator, TSA Foundation India (TSAFI).
Key findings
The rapid boat-based survey, conducted from January 14 to 18, 2026, recorded:
- 945 freshwater turtles belonging to seven species
- 876 hardshell turtles
- 69 softshell turtles
- 55 direct sightings of hardshell turtles of the genus Pangshura
- 13 softshell turtle sightings, including
- 4 critically endangered Black Softshell Turtles (Nilssonia nigricans)
- 9 Nilssonia gangetica, all supported by photographic evidence
Six nesting sites of Pangshura species identified through indirect signs such as nail marks and trails on sandbanks
The Kaziranga landscape alone supports 17 of India’s 32 recorded freshwater turtle and tortoise species, making it one of the most significant turtle habitats in the country.
Hope for the Black Softshell Turtle
The survey highlights both the vulnerability and recovery potential of the Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans), a species endemic to the Brahmaputra basin and listed as Critically Endangered. Severe threats from habitat loss, predation and overexploitation continue to endanger the species.
However, conservation initiatives in Assam offer hope. At Nagshankar Temple in Biswanath district, a community-led model involving local custodians known as ‘Kaso Mitras’ protects turtles and nests within the temple pond, which hosts 13 turtle species, including the Black Softshell. Eggs vulnerable to predators such as mongooses are artificially incubated, and hatchlings are reared before release.
In collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and TSA Foundation India, the Biswanath Wildlife Division of Kaziranga has rewilded over 600 turtles so far. Recent efforts include the release of over 220 hatchlings into wetlands such as Sildubi and Roumari Beel, strengthening wild populations while reinforcing the species’ ecological role as a natural scavenger.
Beyond turtles
The survey also recorded:
- 92 species of birds
- Key aquatic mammals including the Gangetic river dolphin and smooth-coated otter.
- Sightings of Kaziranga’s iconic ‘big five’ megafauna — tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, swamp deer and wild water buffalo.
- Researchers identified five conservation priority habitats based on species richness, habitat quality and levels of anthropogenic disturbance.
Need for continuous monitoring
Officials stressed that the Brahmaputra is a highly dynamic river, with channels, sandbanks and habitats shifting annually. Continuous, long-term monitoring is therefore essential to track population trends, detect habitat changes and address emerging threats.
The annual surveys, led by Kaziranga Tiger Reserve authorities with technical support from ITCP, reflect a sustained commitment to protecting the ecological integrity of the Brahmaputra and ensuring that conservation strategies remain adaptive in one of India’s most complex and vital riverine landscapes.