Guwahati: The latest census of Bengal Florican in Assam’s Manas National Park has brought both hope and concern for conservationists.
The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), known for its striking breeding display, is one of the rarest bustards in the world. Fewer than 400 individuals remain in the Indian subcontinent, and under 800 globally. The new Manas survey estimates around 76 individuals, assuming a 1:1 sex ratio, making the park a crucial refuge for the species.
The Bengal Florican is a small, goose-sized bustard species with much longer legs and an almost horizontal or slightly front-up stance. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with adult males and females appearing different in plumage — more prominently during the breeding season.
Conducted on April 9–10, 2025, the synchronized survey recorded 38 displaying males and 2 females, suggesting that Manas continues to be one of the most important habitats for the species in India. The findings have been published in a report brought out by the Assam Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India.
The Bengal Florican, a critically endangered bustard, is a flagship species of grassland ecosystems. These birds are found in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Cambodia, with fewer than 800 individuals remaining globally, and fewer than 400 in the Indian subcontinent.
The survey’s most striking revelation was the high concentration of floricans at the Kokilabari Agricultural Farm (KAF), which alone accounted for one-third of all individuals spotted. This underscores the vital role of human-modified landscapes, particularly seasonally fallow farmlands, as breeding habitats for the species — a significant shift from the long-held belief that only protected reserves could ensure their survival.
Grasslands: The Heart of Florican Survival
The study reaffirmed earlier research showing the Bengal Florican’s strong dependence on specific grass assemblages. The birds were predominantly found in patches dominated by Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum spontaneum, and Saccharum narenga. Grass height — usually between 40 to 60 cm — was a key factor, providing both visibility for males’ dramatic courtship displays and cover for nesting females.
New sightings in areas such as Kuklung, previously unreported as florican habitats, suggest the potential for range expansion or the existence of undiscovered populations. Equally significant were observations in the Kahitama Range, including Sidajhar and Kapurpora, expanding the known distribution mosaic within Manas.
However, the absence of floricans from historical strongholds such as Lafasari, Rhino Camp, and Phalangshi raises red flags. Researchers attribute this decline to habitat degradation, the succession of grasslands into woody vegetation, and mounting human disturbances.
Threat from Invasives and Encroachment
One of the gravest challenges highlighted is the invasion of non-native species such as Chromolaena odorata and Mikania micrantha, along with woody encroachers like Bombax ceiba and Dillenia pentagyna. These plants are rapidly transforming open grasslands into scrublands, jeopardizing not only Bengal Floricans but also other grassland specialists like the pygmy hog and the hispid hare.
Seasonal controlled burning, especially in February and March, was found effective in preventing woody encroachment while maintaining the open grassland structure. Yet, conservationists caution that the timing and intensity must be carefully calibrated to avoid disturbing breeding floricans.
Population Estimates and Sex Ratio Concerns
Assuming a conservative 1:1 sex ratio, the survey estimates around 76 Bengal Floricans in Manas and its periphery, representing a significant share of India’s total population — believed to number fewer than 400 individuals. But researchers warn this figure may be optimistic. Studies in Cambodia suggest a male-biased sex ratio, which, if mirrored in Manas, could mean fewer breeding females than expected — a grave concern for long-term viability.
Call for Landscape-Level Conservation
The report strongly advocates for including Kokilabari Agricultural Farm in the conservation framework. “Agro-pastoral landscapes, if managed with low-intensity farming during the breeding season, can serve as critical buffer zones for the species,” said a senior conservationist.
However, threats loom large. Unregulated grazing, feral dogs, infrastructure projects, and vehicle movement within sensitive habitats are pressing dangers. Experts recommend livestock management, participatory monitoring with local communities, and strict regulation of human activities in breeding zones.
The study concludes that the long-term survival of Bengal Floricans in Manas hinges on a landscape-level management approach that integrates invasive species control, grassland restoration, habitat connectivity, and community-based stewardship.
“While Manas National Park remains one of the few strongholds for the Bengal Florican in India, continued monitoring is essential to assess population trends, identify emerging threats, and adapt conservation strategies accordingly. The presence of over 70 individuals indicates that with appropriate habitat management and community engagement, it is possible to stabilize and potentially increase the population of this iconic species. However, ongoing habitat loss elsewhere in the Terai and lack of coordinated landscape-level management pose challenges that require urgent attention from conservationists, government agencies, and civil society,” the report states.
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