Guwahati: A sustained and collaborative effort is needed to safeguard endangered species and their habitats in the Brahmaputra River.
The Brahmaputra Aquatic Reptiles Survey has called for enhanced protection and management of critical habitats, continued monitoring and research to track population dynamics and habitat health, and more engagement with local communities to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts and promote conservation awareness.
The 10-day riverine expedition, which navigated 160 kilometers of the Brahmaputra, found 990 turtles, a female Gharial, and over 80 other major fauna species. The survey was undertaken by the Turtle Survival Alliance Foundation India in collaboration with partner institutions and the Assam Forest Department.
The survey recorded 990 individuals of freshwater turtles, including 855 hardshell turtles and 79 softshell turtles. They represented five species: Assam roofed turtle (427), Indian tent turtle, Brown roofed turtle, Indian or Gangetic softshell turtle, and Peacock softshell turtle, through direct and indirect sightings. Direct sightings accounted for 85% of the total number of sightings.
A thorough observation and survey revealed four major stressors in the region, likely caused by human-induced disturbances: fishing, livestock grazing, riverbed agriculture, and solid waste from settlements and human activities.
“The stretch from Motortapu to Majuli was more susceptible to these threats than the rest of the surveyed stretch. Three major types of fishing gear were used, including nylon nets, fishing hooks, and hoop nets. At least one fishing site per two kilometers was present in this stretch,” the report said.
One-fourth of the surveyed stretch gained complete protection from anthropogenic threats as it falls under Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Among other disturbances, the prominent ones were solid waste from riparian communities (23%) and fishing (20%), followed by livestock grazing (18%) and agriculture (14%).
The stretches from Arimora to Motortapu and from Biswanath Ghat to Panpur are listed as priority area one, or habitats having high potential for turtles, as they have high species abundance, richness, and habitat mosaics.
The stretch between Motortapu to Lohitmukh is listed as priority area two, or habitats having moderate potential, as this unprotected section has high species abundance and richness despite facing intense anthropogenic disturbances.
The stretches between Biswanath Ghat to Arimora and Panpur to Kaliabhomora are listed as priority area three, or habitats having low potential due to comparatively lower species abundance and habitat suitability conditions for turtles of the genus Nilssonia than the other sections.
The report called for increased protection of the conservation priority habitats marked during the current survey. It recommended identifying key population areas with the help of different habitat categories described in the survey to support rewilding programs of aquatic reptiles in the Brahmaputra, along with attaining broader protection.
Reintroduction of Gharials in the Brahmaputra landscape, especially within the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, is highly recommended considering the habitat’s capacity to support the survival of this species in the long run.
Also Read: Ukhrul locals share age-old secrets of identifying, harvesting mushrooms