Assam: Frog Watch & Photography Event in Karbi Anglong Highlights Rich Herpetofauna and Indigenous Knowledge
The trail was led by Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy, a herpetologist and resource person for the event.
KARBI ANGLONG- Aaranyak, one of India’s premier biodiversity conservation organizations, hosted a Frog Watch and Field Photography session on July 12 in Phumen Engti village, Karbi Anglong district of Assam, showcasing the region’s rich herpetofauna diversity and fostering collaborative conservation learning.
The immersive field session brought together participants from various academic backgrounds, including a PhD scholar from Royal Global University, zoology students from Debraj Roy College, Golaghat, a faculty member from IIT Gandhinagar, and members from Digboi College, reflecting a strong interdisciplinary interest in wildlife conservation.
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The trail was led by Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy, a herpetologist and resource person for the event, accompanied by local biodiversity champions Mongal Rongphar and Bidaram Tokbi, who shared deep insights into the region’s ecological wealth.
Participants explored a forested trail near the village, observing and photographing a wide range of amphibians and reptiles such as Indian Skipper Frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis), Cricket Frogs (Minervarya teraiensis & M. pierrei), Red-eyed Frog (Leptobrachium smithi), Asian Common Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), Assamese Cascade Frog (Amolops assamensis), Bent-Toed Gecko, Skinks, and Garden Lizards.
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As dusk set in, the group paused for refreshments and shared personal reflections on amphibian conservation, complemented by the narration of a traditional Karbi folk tale, highlighting the deep interconnection between ecological knowledge and cultural heritage.
“This event beautifully blended science and storytelling,” said one participant, noting how field-based, community-led explorations are key to building deeper understanding and awareness.
Organized under Aaranyak’s broader commitment to biodiversity conservation and community-based education in the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong and Manas Landscapes, the initiative is supported by IUCN-KfW and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Aaranyak continues to promote sustainable livelihoods and conservation awareness through such inclusive and hands-on engagements.
