Guwahati: As nesting trees vanish, food grows scarce, and human disturbance presses ever closer, one of the most important habitats of the lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) along the Kalong river in Nagaon district has steadily diminished. Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, this striking bird has long depended on the Kalong’s waters, where rich foraging grounds and life-sustaining wetlands once spread generously across the floodplain. Along these riverbanks, many of its breeding colonies still persist, and in Assam — one of the species’ strongest breeding refuges — the Kalong remains a quiet artery of survival.In Nagaon district, a 2023 nest census by students and researchers from Nagaon University (NU) recorded 90 active nests across multiple sites. As the university team continued habitat studies, they found that by 2026 active nests had dropped to 70 — a decline of 20 nests (22.2%) in three years.“One of the main dangers to the stork species in Nagaon is the expansion of human settlements close to nesting habitats and the commercialisation of these areas. Human settlements such as fuel stations, bamboo shacks, government schools, car garages, and other establishments were detected close to the nesting trees. This disturbs the stork population and also hinders the selection of suitable trees for nesting,” said Jyotismita Das, assistant professor in the department of zoology at Nagaon University, who, along with Baishali Das, a research scholar in her department, has been continuously engaged in research on the ecology, breeding biology, and conservation challenges of the lesser adjutant stork.“This declining trend may indicate potential changes in habitat quality, nesting-site availability, food resources, or increasing anthropogenic disturbances, and warrants conservation attention,” she said.Many nesting trees along the Kalong riverbanks have been chopped down in recent years for construction and development activities.Still, key nesting colonies occur in Puronigudam, Dimaruguri, Uria Gaon, Nonoi, Dhing, and other locations close to the Kalong. The storks typically nest near waterbodies on tall trees such as Bombax ceiba (simolu), Alstonia scholaris (sotiyona), Neolamarckia cadamba (kadam), and Terminalia arjuna (arjun).A cross-sectional survey by the Nagaon research team found that about 60% of respondents knew about the lesser adjutant stork and recognised its population decline. The survey also indicated positive community participation in conservation. Residents, often working with NGOs, have installed protective nets under nesting trees to reduce injury or death when juveniles fall. During breeding seasons, the research team has also rescued and rehabilitated several fallen juveniles, improving their survival prospects.Despite these efforts, threats remain. Respondents reported that hunting still occurs in some remote rural areas, mainly for meat, and researchers say this, along with other human pressures, continues to threaten the species’ long-term survival.
