Guwahati, Aug. 18 -- A resident of rural Assam, Krishnajyoti Borsaikia, was concerned when a Teltopi Xorai (sand martin) fell nearby, exhausted from the heatwave and struggling to find shelter due to a shortage of suitable nesting sites for birds in upper Assam.

Borsaikia offered the bird water and shade before gently releasing it back into the sky, uncertain of its fate.

Once known for its rich flora and fauna, Assam is facing increasing environmental pressures due to widespread deforestation and the mismanagement of natural resources.

The Sand Martin (also known as the Bank Swallow) is a small migratory species commonly found near rivers, ponds, and wetlands, where it nests in sandy riverbanks. In Assamese, it is called Borxuni Renu ...