Brown-spotted-Pit-viper found for the first time in Assam

Guwahati: The sighting of a Brown-spotted Pit-viper in a community forest in Assam proves there is rich wildlife in these forests.

Scientists and researchers from biodiversity conservation organisation, Aaranyak, have recorded the presence of the Brown-spotted Pit-viper (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus) from a community forest in Kohora river basin in Assam.

This is the first record of the viper that has been found in the state, as stated in the scientific journal “Reptiles & Amphibians”, where this research finding was published under the leadership of Aaranyak’s Dr M Firoz Ahmed, and with research team Dr Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sourav Gupta and Arijit Dutta from Aaranyak.

In Southeastern Asia, the viper can be found in countries such as Myanmar, Laos, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. In India, it has only been recorded in a few localities in Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland at elevations of 500–2,500 meters. Assam is the fourth state in India to report this species. 

The team reported the discovery while conducting research work in the landscape.

The team encountered a P. mucrosquamatus on a forest trail adjacent to a stream within a bamboo-dominated forest patch in the Karbi-Anglong Hills at Kohora, Assam. The snake was curled in a defensive position on the forest floor for 5–7 minutes, after which it retreated into nearby shrubs.

Aaranyak has been working with traditional village councils of Kohora and the Diring River basin area of the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape with a participatory approach to expedite development and secure livelihood and natural resources.

The Kohora River Basin (KRB), on the southern boundary of the Kaziranga National Park, covers an area of 31.50 sq. km. in the Rongmongve development block of Karbi Anglong district in Assam. Out of the total area, around 55% is hills and foothills, and 45% is plains. The upstream hills and foothills area is under the administration of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the downstream area is under the administrative jurisdiction of Golaghat district.

The KRB has a total basin area of 31.50 sq. km, out of which forest area with mixed moist deciduous forest and semi-evergreen forest covers 11.49 sq. km. (36%) and 10.81 sq. km. (34%), respectively. Followed by Bamboo which covers 3.63 sq. km. (11%) and agricultural land covers 3.25 sq. km. (10%). The rest of the area includes settlements, abandoned jhum, current jhum, degraded forest, tea garden and rivers. 

“The place where the snake has been found is a community forest. These are so-called unclassed forests. The forest is used by communities for jhum cultivation and collection of non-timber forest produce. It’s the source of food, fodder and non-timber forest produce for their sustenance “, wildlife biologist Firoz Ahmed of Aaranyak told EastMojo.

“Forest is often degraded due to extensive jhum in the past and invaded by wild bamboo (kaifu). Restoring the forest is key to securing the ecosystem. Aaranyak is working holistically to that goal with the communities” Firoz Ahmed says.

Old people in their seventies recall the bygone days with the perspectives of the wilderness of riverscape with immense perennial flow of water, frequent observation of Rhino, Elephant, Deer, Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar wandering around and abundance of fishes in the Kohora River. However, the younger generations below the age of fifties share the same narratives with references that they heard from their father and grandfather.

Aaranyak has thanked Rong Asar Amei( traditional village council) of the Kohora River Basin for permission and support to do the survey.