Blog Details

•  Author : Adeeb Sahil
• Date : August 23, 2025

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga safari booking

In Assam, Kaziranga is a very well-known national wildlife park. It has open grasslands, dense forests, rivers, and wetlands. The park is part of the Brahmaputra River floodplains and is famous for animals like the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which brings many tourists from India and abroad.

In addition to large animals, this wildlife park has a variety of local and migratory birds. Birdwatchers come here to see special birds. A rare grey-headed fish eagle was seen in that place recently. This bird is not commonly found in the area, so the sighting is important for bird experts & nature lovers.

This event made many people happy, but some also said the bird’s wetland habitat should be protected. They believe the presence of such birds shows a healthy environment, but warn it must be looked after. Many tourists make Kaziranga safari bookings to explore the park and spot such rare birds.

About The Grey-Headed Fish Eagle

The grey-headed fish eagle (scientific name: Icthyophaga ichthyaetus) is a large bird of prey found in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is easy to identify because it has a light grey head, strong and broad wings, and very sharp claws. These claws help it catch fish, which is its main food. Its strong build and serious look make it a very skilled hunter.

The bird usually lives near rivers, lakes, & wetlands. It likes places where fish are plentiful. When hunting, the grey-headed fish eagle often sits quietly on a branch near the water. It waits and watches carefully for any fish that come close to the surface. Once it spots a fish, it flies down quickly and catches it with its claws. This hunting method needs a lot of patience and very good eyesight.

Worldwide, there are between 10,000 and 100,000 grey-headed fish eagles. This means it is not yet critically endangered, but it is still not common. Its population is going down slowly.

The main reasons are:

• The destruction of wetlands for farming, roads, & buildings
• Too much fishing by humans, which reduces the number of fish available
• Water pollution, which harms the water quality and fish.

For people who visit Kaziranga National Park, spotting this eagle is a special experience. Many bird lovers add it to their checklist when they do Kaziranga safari booking.

Minister’s Statement

Chandra Mohan Patowary, Assam’s Environment and Forests Minister, shared rare eagle sighting news with everyone using his social media account. He called the bird a skilled fisher and said it was important to protect the places where it lives. He explained that protecting the grey-headed fish eagle’s habitat is not just about one bird species. It is also about protecting the entire wetland system in Kaziranga National Park, which supports many kinds of animals and plants.

Minister Patowary said that these wetlands are critical for mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. If these areas are safe, all the species that depend on them will also be safe. He reminded people that the park is not only a tourist spot but also a very important area for protecting wildlife.

This statement also encouraged tourists to visit the park and understand the value of nature.

Importance Of The Bird

A senior officer from the Assam Forest Department said that the grey-headed fish eagle is an indicator of the health of the park’s water systems. This means that if the eagle is living and hunting successfully in an area, the wetlands there are healthy and full of fish.

These birds need clean water and plenty of fish to survive. If they disappear from an area, it could mean that the water is polluted or that the fish population has gone down. This is why conservationists pay attention to where this eagle is seen.

For Kaziranga National Park, the presence of the grey-headed fish eagle shows that the wetlands are still in good condition in some parts of the park. This is good news, but experts say that the condition can change quickly if water shortages & pollution are not controlled.

Birdwatchers visiting the park by making a Kaziranga safari booking often hope to see this eagle, as it is considered a rare and valuable sighting.

Kaziranga’s Water Crisis

Kaziranga National Park has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it is considered important for the whole world, not just for India. The park’s grasslands, swamps, and floodplains are home to over 84,839 birds, along with many mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish species.

However, in recent years, Kaziranga has faced a serious water shortage problem. Long dry periods have caused many beels (natural wetlands), ponds, and small streams to dry up or become much smaller. Without these water bodies, many birds and animals face challenges. Large mammals like rhinoceroses and elephants, in particular, rely on water to cool off and drink. Fish populations drop when ponds dry, & birds like the grey-headed fish eagle lose their main food source.

This water crisis has many causes, including changes in rainfall patterns, human activities near the park, and possibly the effects of climate change. If the problem is not solved, it could affect not only rare birds but also the overall health of Kaziranga National Park. Tourists visiting during safaris may also notice fewer birds and animals if the water shortage continues.

Because of this, some experts believe that along with wildlife protection, water management should also be a key part of park conservation plans.

Why Wetlands Must Be Protected

Wetlands play an important role in supporting wildlife. They help animals by giving them food and shelter. Birds like the grey-headed fish eagle depend on fish that live in wetlands. Other animals, such as frogs, snakes, & some mammals, also need wetlands to survive.

Wetlands also help the environment in many ways. They store water during floods, clean dirty water, and help plants grow. These plants are useful for many animals. If wetlands are damaged or dry up, the animals and plants that live there may die. This can affect the natural balance in the area.

In Kaziranga National Park, wetlands are very important. They help keep the park healthy and full of life. The grey-headed fish eagle is just one of the many species that rely on wetlands. Many birds from other places also come to Kaziranga because of these wetland areas.

Tourists who care about nature can help by travelling responsibly. Those making Kaziranga safari bookings should also try to learn about the park’s environment so that they can appreciate & protect it.