Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted a groundbreaking biodiversity initiative from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park during the 124th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, praising the fusion of advanced technology with ecological research in India.
For the first time, a comprehensive Grassland Bird Census was carried out in Kaziranga’s expansive grasslands, identifying over 40 species of birds — including several rare and elusive ones. The Prime Minister lauded the innovative methodology employed by the census team, which used sound recording devices and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify bird species based solely on their calls, ensuring minimal disturbance to the habitat.
“Kaziranga is globally known for its rhinos,” said Modi, “but this time, it is the birds in its grasslands that are in the spotlight. This is a significant achievement because it shows that our biodiversity is far richer than we often realise.”
The census team strategically installed audio recorders throughout the national park, collecting bird calls over time. These were later processed using AI-based software capable of species identification through acoustic signatures — a technique gaining global traction in conservation biology.
Praising the initiative, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of such technological applications in environmental studies. “This seamless integration of technology and ecological sensitivity makes understanding nature easier and deeper,” he said, urging for broader adoption of such methods across the country to better document and protect India’s biodiversity.
He also used the segment to spark public curiosity. “If you are asked how many kinds of birds there are around you, what would you say?” he posed. “Most of us might notice five to six birds daily. But it is truly fascinating to discover the variety of species living right in our vicinity.”
The recognition drew praise from several public figures in Assam. Diganta Kalita, MLA from 32 Kamalpur and spokesperson for BJP Assam Pradesh, expressed his pride on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling the Prime Minister’s mention “a matter of immense pride for Assam.”
Ranjan K Baruah, Advisor to the Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), also welcomed the development, noting that the discovery of rare bird species would boost Kaziranga’s appeal among tourists and researchers alike. He advocated for increased use of high-end technologies in conservation and urged the state government to support such efforts.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is primarily known for its population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. The recent bird census not only underscores the park’s ecological richness but also sets a new precedent for conservation strategies in India.
