Guwahati, Feb. 2 -- The annual bird count at Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam's only Ramsar site, has recorded a significant increase in waterfowl.

The 2025 count tallied 17,623 birds from 161 different species, up from 11,271 birds of 155 species in 2023-24, according to Pramod Kalita, secretary of the Deepor Beel Surakshya Mancha.

Kalita attributed the lower numbers in 2023-24 to the Assam Rising Water Festival, organized by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Assam government. He noted this year's count surpasses the numbers recorded in the three years prior.

Five new bird species were recorded at the wetland for the first time: Black-browed reed warbler, Baillon's crake, Falcated duck, Pallas's gull, and Slender-billed g...