Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam — globally renowned as the stronghold of the one-horned rhinoceros — has now revealed another layer of its biodiversity. A newly released survey has documented an impressive 283 species of insects and spiders, underscoring the park’s ecological richness beyond its iconic megafauna.

The rapid survey was carried out by entomologists from The Corbett Foundation, working closely with Kaziranga’s frontline forest staff. Conducted in a woodland habitat of the tiger reserve, the study provides fresh insights into the often-overlooked role of small species in maintaining ecological balance.

The findings were officially released on September 26 by Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MP of the Kaziranga Lok Sabha constituency, Khumtai MLA Mrinal Saikia, and Assam’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Vinay Gupta.

Forest officials emphasized that the results highlight the urgent need to prioritize insect conservation, especially as climate change accelerates biodiversity loss. Protecting these smaller species, they said, is just as critical as safeguarding Kaziranga’s flagship animals.