A two-day census for aquatic birds began at Kaziranga National Park on Friday.

An official said the census will consider aquatic fauna, basically birds, in the national park. Several ornithologists and volunteers are taking part in the census. It is being carried out in all the five ranges and the number of aquatic birds is expected to be 12,000.

The five ranges have around 21 waterbodies. Last year, the recorded number of the birds was 11,500.

Kaziranga National Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it has almost 478 species of birds, both migratory and resident birds. The park has 25 globally threatened and 21 near-threatened species of birds.

Some rare species of geese and ducks are seen in the park. Some other rare waterbirds usually seen are Blyth’s kingfisher, white-bellied heron, Dalmatian pelican, spot-billed pelican, spotted greenshank and black-bellied tern.

Some rare migratory storks and cranes have been traced in the park. Lesser adjutant, greater adjutant, black-necked stork and Asian openbill have also been recorded.

In Bokakhat, 15 police officials of Jakhalabandha police station in Nagaon district were awarded with cash and a citation on Thursday for successful anti-poaching activities in Kaziranga.

The superintendent of police, Nagaon, Shankar Brata Raimedhi, organised a programme on the police station premises and highlighted their contributions.

Kaziranga witnessed zero poaching in Burhapahar and Bagari ranges in 2019, thanks to the dedication of the police team led by the then officer-in-charge (OC) Deben Bora and incumbent Nipu Kalita.

Last year, poachers could kill only three rhinos at Kohora range.

Raimedhi said the anti-poaching drives were successful thanks to the efforts of the police, forest and special task force. “The hard work of earlier officer-in-charge Bora was continued by Nipu Kalita,” the SP said. “The role of sub divisional police officer (SDPO) Mrinmoy Das is also noteworthy,” he said.

The SDPO, Kaliabor, Mrinmoy Das, praised Bora who served the police station from 2014 to March 15 this year.

During the tenure of Bora, 312 poachers were arrested in and outside the state.

Another nine were killed in encounters and Rs 26.92 lakh was seized from poachers.

Additional reporting by Sanjoy Hazarika in Bokakhat