WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES OF ASSAM

The wildlife sanctuaries in Assam are a heterogeneous mixture of a variety of landscapes, plants, birds and animals. The suitable climatic conditions, geographical location and vast forest reserves have made Assam a favorable destination for birds, animals and natural vegetation. Seeing this beautiful place will give you such inspiration and happiness and peace that it a place one must go.



Assam is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that are the breeding ground for some of the rarest global species. The many wildlife sanctuaries in Assam provide shelter to large number of wildlife right from the Golden Langur to the one-horned rhinoceros, as well as a large variety of flora especially the beautiful orchids. Below are listed some of the most beautiful and amazing wildlife sanctuaries and national reserves that one must visit if they are ever on a trip to the beautiful Assam in the north-east. 

POPULAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS

                         

                                 1. MANAS NATIONAL PARK:

Located in the foothills of the Assam Himalayan range, Manas is an amalgamation of being a national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, an elephant reserve, and also a tiger reserve. And it also has been recognized as an important biosphere reserve.

People mainly go to this place for its tiger reserve and the sporting opportunity of river rafting. This river known as the Manas River or Beki River is a continuous flow from beyond the Bhutan border. The best time to have this fun is during the winter time from the first week of October [winter time] to the last week of April [spring time].

FAUNA OF MANAS:

 We can find a wide range of rare endangered animals dominating the landscape. Spread over an area of 950 sq km the park host amazing animals like: Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden Langur and pygmy hog which are not only endangered but are considered ecologically important.

Also other beautiful animals that we can spot are the:

Asian elephant

Indian rhinoceros

Gaurs

Asian water buffalo

Tigers

Leopard

Asian golden cat

Capped Langur

Assamese macaques

Slow Loris

Hoolock gibbons

Sloth bears

Barking deer

Black Panther

Sambar deer

FLORA OF MANAS:

Also the flora is as diverse as it gets. The vegetation of this place is mostly covered with mixed deciduous forest with small grass strewn all over the place on which the deers of the reserve thrive. It is for the fact that it is covered with such abundance of vegetation that all the animals thrive beautifully in this haven of a reserve.  Manas national park is also one of the most bio-diverse regions of the planet.

THINGS TO DO:

The most popular things to do while in Manas wildlife sanctuary are:

1.Bird Watching

2.Jeep Safaris

3.Elephant Safari

                         2. CHAKRASHILA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, is one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries in Assam. Situated in the Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts of Assam, this wildlife sanctuary spreads over an area of 45.568 km on the Chakrashila Hills. The sanctuary was declared as a reserve forest in 1966 and in 1994 it was recognized by the state government as a wildlife sanctuary.  A local group of environment activists known as Nature’s Beckon played a crucial role for the region to be recognized as a sanctuary. It is famous for its golden langur and is the second protected habitat for golden langurs in India. 

FLORA AND FAUNA IN CHAKRASHILA

The sanctuary is dominantly a hilly tract that extends from north to south. There are two lakes in the sanctuary - Dheer Lake and Diplai Lake. The lakes are bio-diversity hotspots and critical to maintain the ecosystem of the sanctuary. The forest was declared a sanctuary to secure the endangered species and to protect their natural habitat. There are 30 species of mammals that have been spotted in the sanctuary. Encompassing the Beel and Diplai Beel Lakes this wildlife sanctuary offers a host of wildlife attractions like:

Golden Langur

Indian Flying Fox

Indian False Vampire

Indian Pipistrelle

Rhesus Macaque

Short-tailed Mole

Chinese Pangolin

Short Nosed Fruit Bat

Asiatic Jackal

Bengal Fox

Horn-bill

Also the sanctuary happens to be the second protected home of the endangered Golden Langur. A local group of environment activists known as Nature’s Beckon played a crucial role for the region to be recognized as a sanctuary.

More than 250 species of birds including many rare and endangered birds can be spotted in the sanctuary.

Open Billed Stork

Greater Adjutant Stork

Little Egret

Shrikes

Pond Heron

Drongoes

Darter

Hornbills, are the most exotic among the birds.

There are 23 species of amphibians and reptiles found in the sanctuary which include turtles, frogs, lizards and snakes. Over 40 species of butterflies and over 60 species of insects can be found in the sanctuary. The sanctuary provides opportunities for trekking, bird watching and wildlife photography. The forests in the sanctuary are of dense semi-evergreen and moist deciduous type, with patches of grasslands and scattered bushes, and several water sources. The climate is temperate, with dry winters and hot summers followed by heavy rains.

                         

3. KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

It is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. This wildlife sanctuary in Assam spreads over 800 sq km of vast green vegetation. The backdrop of Kaziranga National Park Assam includes dry deciduous forests, rocky landscapes and tall thickets. The vast tracts of grasslands make bird and wild life watching extremely pleasurable. The major attractions in this sanctuary apart from the abounding natural beauty are the rhinos. The entire park can be visited in a jeep and you can actually see the animals from just a few centimeters away.

Along with the iconic Greater one-horned rhinoceros, the park is the breeding ground of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Over the time, the tiger population has also increased in Kaziranga, and that's the reason why Kaziranga was declared as Tiger Reserve in 2006. Also, the park is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.

FLORA:

The vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broad-leaf forests undoubtedly makes the park look beautiful but it's the presence of Brahmaputra River, which makes it look enigmatic.

Due to the difference in altitude between the eastern and western areas of the park, here one can see mainly four types of vegetation’ like alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests. Kumbhi, Indian gooseberry, the cotton tree, and elephant Apple are among the famous trees that can be seen in the park. Also, a good variety of aquatic flora can be seen in lakes, ponds, and along the river shores.

FAUNA:

The forest region of Kaziranga Park is home to world's largest population of Indian Rhinoceros. Other animals that can be seen in the elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical moist broad leaf forests of Kaziranga are:

Hoolock Gibbon

Tiger                                                       

Leopard                                                                                                              Indian Elephant

Sloth Bear

Wild water buffalo

Swamp deer, etc.

With increase in tiger population every year, the government authorities declared Kaziranga as a Tiger Reserve in the year 2006. Also here one can find good number of migratory bird species from Central Asia.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

Kaziranga Park remains closed from 01 May till 31 Oct every year for the visitors. Therefore November to April is the best time to visit Kaziranga National Park.

Summer (April to May): During this time of the year, the climate remains dry and windy; one can find animals around the water bodies.

Monsoon (June to September): From June till September, the region receives heavy rain, approximately 2,220 millimeters (87 in); thus the climate remains hot and humid. The park remains closed from May to October due to warnings of Brahmaputra river floods.

Winter (November to February): Perhaps the best time to visit the Kaziranga National Park as the climate is mild and dry. Chances of spotting rhinos are more in winter as the grass burn off and the background becomes clearer.

SAFARI:

To promote wildlife tourism in Assam, Kaziranga Park authorities organizes a jeep and elephant safari tour.

SAFARI GATES/ZONES:

Sprawling over an area of 430 sq km, the park alias the hotspot of diversity is split into four areas; each has its own distinguish feature regarding grasslands, the density of mammals & bird, land topography, terrains. Below are some points of the pre-defined tourist circuits where the jeep safari takes place:

• Mihimukh in Central Range at Kohora
• Bagori in Western Range at Bagori
• Agaratoli in Eastern Range at Agaratoli
• Ghorakati in Burapahar Range at Ghorakhati

LEOPARDS RESTING.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND THE PARK:

To enjoy the best of the park, it would be good to take a jeep or elephant but what apart from these options? Fortunately around Kaziranga, one can find an ample number of nature getaways options like wildlife sanctuaries, parks for bird watching and hill stations. 

                        

                



                  4.THE HOOLLONGAPAR GIBBON SANCTUARY

ENTRANCE TO HOOLLONGPAR GIBBON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

It was constituted in 1997. This wildlife sanctuary is in an isolated region in Assam and is sure to give you goose bumps. Surrounded by tea gardens and long stretches of grasslands this wildlife sanctuary in Assam is reputed throughout the country for its rich biodiversity. If you are a true animal lover then this is just the right place for you. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is home to the only gibbons in India; the hoolock gibbons, and Bengal Slow Loris, Northeastern India's only nocturnal monkey.

FAUNA:

HOOLOCK GIBBON

The sanctuary has a very rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), as well as the only nocturnal primate found in the northeast Indian states, the Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis).

Other primates include:

The stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides)

Northern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca leonina)

Eastern Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis assamensis)

Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)

Capped Langur  (Trachypithecus pileatus).

 Also found at the sanctuary are:

 Indian elephant

 Tigers (Panthera Tigris)

Leopards (Panthera pardus)

 Jungle cats (Felis chaus)

 Wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Three types of civet; four types of squirrel; and several other types of mammal. At least 219 species of bird and several types of snake are known to live in the park.

FLORA:

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The sanctuary has a rich diversity of flora at )

Nahar (Mesua ferrea) dominates the middle canopy with its spreading crown, casting fairly heavy shade over a wide area. Other species that make up the middle canopy include:

 Bandordima (Dysoxylum procerum)

 Dhuna (Conarium resiniferum)

Bhomora (Terminalia belerica)

Ful Gomari (Gmelina sp.)

Bonbogri (Pterospermum lanceafolium)

Morhal(Vatica lanceafolia)

Selleng (Sapium baccatum)

Sassi (Aqualari agolacha)

Otenga (Dillenia indica)

A variety of evergreen shrubs and herbs make up the lower canopy and ground layers. The most common of these are:

Dolu bamboo (Teinosstachyum dullooa)

Bojal bamboo (Pseudostachyum polymorphum)

Jengu (Calamus erectus)

Jati bet (Calamus spp.)

Houka bet (Calamus spp.)

Tora (Alpine allughas)

Kaupat (Phrynium imbricatum)

Sorat (Laported cremulata)

POPULAR THINGS TO DO & SEE IN AND AROUND:

The sanctuary witnesses many tourists visiting the place almost all round the year and a number of bungalows have been constructed so that the tourists can reside here comfortably. You will get to see many tea gardens surrounding the sanctuary which act as a geographic barrier for the animals. There also many ferns, orchids, bamboo and canes that enrich the reserve. The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is an absolute treat for the nature lovers out there.

GETTING THERE:

The nearest airport to the sanctuary is the Jorhat airport and the closest railway junction is the Mariani railway station.

                    5.  DIBRU-SAIKHOWA NATIONAL PARK

The sprawling Dibru Saikhowa National Park, spread over an area of 650sq km, is located close to the eastern border of Assam, straddling both the districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia.

It is popular all over the country for its collection of wild horses known as Feral Horses. This sanctuary is home to some of the rarest white winged species. The sanctuary houses a number of unique and beautiful migratory birds. Comprising tropical moist deciduous forests, tropical semi-green forests, Salix swamp forests, moist evergreen forests, grasslands and canebrakes, Dibru Saikhowa National Park is one of the 19 biodiversity hotspots in the world. The region originally comprised a tropical rain-forest but after the disastrous earthquake of 1950, it underwent major geomorphologic changes and the rain-forest eventually gave way to deciduous forests.

The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra River, Lohit River and Arunachal Hills in the north and Dibru River, Debang River, Dibru and Patkai hills in the south, making for beautiful, verdant surroundings. The climate is tropical monsoon – where the summers are usually hot, humid and wet with a maximum temperature of around 35°C. The winters are cold and dry, with temperatures between 7°C to 18°C.

FLORA AND FAUNA:

The Dibru Saikhowa National Park, created especially for the conservation of the rare and endangered white-winged wood duck, now houses numerous species of endangered mammals, reptiles and birds. Till date 36 species of mammals, 502 species of birds, 104 species of fish, 43 species of reptiles, 105 species of butterflies and 680 species of plants have been recorded here. Moreover, 25 per cent of India’s threatened bird species have been found in the Dibru Saikhowa National Park. The park is also home to nearly 50 feral horses, which can be spotted in the northern part of the park at the Churkey Chapori area. These horses are believed to have descended from the animals that escaped from the army camps during World War II. River dolphins are also often seen in the sanctuary’s water.

Wildlife frequently spotted here includes:

Sambar

Sloth bear

Dhole

Small Indian civet

Malayan giant squirrels

Chinese pangolin

Capped Langur
Indian elephant

wild boar

Hoolock gibbon

hog deer

barking deer.

If your luck holds, you might even spot one of the big cats – a royal Bengal tiger or a leopard – or the relatively rare Gangetic River Dolphin gamboling in the water.

 The park is mainly consists of semi wet evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forest, bamboo, cane brakes and grasslands. Dibru-Saikhowa is an area of grassland and swamp forest sandwiched between the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers in the east of Assam. Contained between these rivers, the park is a 340sq km reserve, which was set up with a view to protecting the grassland and swamp habitat on the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River.It is located at about 13 km north of Tinsukia town and about 515 km from Guwahati and is bounded by the Brahmaputra River and Arunachal hills in the north and Dibru River and Patkai hills on the south.

It is the largest Salix swamp forest in north east India. Dibru Saikhowa has tropical monsoon climate with a hot and wet summer and cool and usually dry winter.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is divided into nine distinct zones one of which is a wetland while dense forests occupy the remaining portions. The sparkling sylvan wetlands paint a picture of rare beauty as the gleam like a mirage of quicksilver under the playful saffron sunbeams.

The climate is tropical. Summers are hot and wet whereas winters are cold and dry. The annual temperature ranges from a minimum of 7°C and to a maximum of 34°C.

DOMINANT FLORA:

Tetrasperma

Dillenia indica

Bombax ceiba

Lagerstroemia parviflora

Terminalia myriocarpa

Mesua ferrea

Dalbergia sissoo

Dibru-Saikhowa,

Arundo donax,

Imperata cylindrica

Phragmaties karka

Erianthus ravanea etc.

THINGS TO DO:

Tip: Hiring a local guide is highly recommended. They are a mine of information on the park and have adequate knowledge about the concentration of wildlife, making for a rewarding trip.

Boat Safari:

There are no elephant or jeep safaris in Dibru Saikhowa National Park and visitors have to hire a local boat to explore the park. You are likely to spot water buffalos basking in the sun by the muddy banks, turtles swimming past and groups of storks fishing in the water.

Trekking:

Another rewarding way of exploring this national park is by way of trekking cum hiking . The jungle is quiet, far away from the cacophony of the city, and the stillness is only broken by the rustle of dry leaves beneath your feet or the chorus of birdcalls. Your guide will lead you down the forest trails.

It is also possible to explore the two villages inside the park, Dhadia and Laika and see how the locals live. Or you could head to Maguri Beel, adjacent to the park, where a variety of birds can be spotted.

FAST FACTS

When to go: November–April

STD code: 0374

State: Assam

Location: In Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, on the southern bank of River Brahmaputra

 Distance: 443km NE of Guwahati, 90 km NE of Dibrugarh city

Route from Dibrugarh: NH37 via Lahowal, Tinsukia, Makum, Doom Dooma and Rupai Siding.

                                  6. DEEPOR BEEL BIRD SANCTUARY

It is a proposed sanctuary in Assam that is supposed to be situated amidst a zone of idyllic bliss with its lush greenery sprinkled with sparkling water bodies. The sanctuary's premises exude an aura of tranquility and the melodious twitters of birds are a welcome break that occasionally disturbs the quietude.

As the name signifies Deepor Beel Bird Sanctuary, Guwahati is being constructed to shelter abundant species of birds dappled in vibrant hues. The Department of Forests, Assam has listed over 120 species of birds to be housed in the sanctuary. They include numerous kingfishers, fishing eagles, adjutant storks and a plethora of ducks.

FLORA AND THE NATURAL HABITAT:

The hydrophytic vegetation of the Beel has been classified, based on ecological adaptation, into the following categories with their floristic elements.

Aquatic vegetation like: 

Giant Water Lily, 

water hyacinth,

aquatic grasses,

waterlilies and other submerged, emergent and floating vegetation are found during the summer season.

       In the dry areas, during winter, aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation are seen.In deep open water area, marshlands, mud flat, emergent vegetation, water hyacinth patches, net-grass land patches are reported.

       Migratory water-fowl, residential water-fowl and terrestrial avifauna are common in paddy field areas, dry grassland areas and scattered forest areas.

A total of 18 genera of phytoplankton are reported from the core area of the Beel ecosystem out of which species of Oscilatoria and Microcystis are dominant.

 List of aquatic plants identified in the Beel are:

Eichhornia crassipes, 

 Pistia stratiotes,

Ottelia alismoides

Lemna minor,

Potamogeton crispus,

Vallisneria spiralis, 

Hydrilla verticillata, 

 Ipomoea reptans, 

 Azolla pinnata,

Spirodela polyrhiza, 

Eleocharis plantaginea

Nymphaea alba

 Euryale ferox

 Nymphaea rubra 

Sagittaria sagittifolia

Euryale ferox, a giant water lily with edible seeds, is leased to earn revenue for the

government.

 Other lake shore vegetation includes:

·         Eupatorium adoratum, 

·         Achyranthes aspera, 

·         Cyperus esculentus, 

·         Phragmites karka, 

·         Vitex trifolia, 

·         Accium basilium, 

·         Saccharum spontaneum 

·          Imperata arundinacea.

Dominant tree species in the nearby Deciduous forests in the Beel basin are species of Tectona grandis or common teak, Ficus benghalensis, Shorea robusta and Bombax malabaricum. In the surrounding forest area, aquarium plants, medicinal plant and orchids of commercial value are reported.

                                AVIFAUNA OF THE BIRD SANCTUARY:

The sanctuary is a great food source and a great breeding ground for a large variety of residential water birds as well as a number of migratory waterfowls, amphibians, reptiles, insects, micro and macrophytes, terrestrial weeds. The Department of Forests, Assam has listed 170 species of Birds - 2 critically endangered, 1 endangered, 5 vulnerable and 4 near threatened such Spot billed pelican, Lesser adjutant stork, Greater adjutant stork, Black necked stork and Large whistling teal.

The most notable bird species found in the sanctuary are:

Kingfishers

Fishing eagles

A plethora of ducks

Greater Adjutant Stork

Whistling Teal

Open Billed Stork

Shoveler

Pintail

Garganey

Pheasant tail jacanas etc.

 Occasional it is visited by the herd Elephant from the adjacent Rani–Garbhanga landscape. Some of the largest congregations of aquatic birds in Assam can be seen here, particularly in winter.

AQUA FAUNA:

Surveys have revealed 20 amphibians, 12 lizards, 18 snakes and 6 turtle and tortoise species in the Beel. Over 50 commercially viable species of fish, belonging to 19 families have been identified, which supplies stock to other nearby wetlands and rivers. The Beel provides food, acts as a spawning and nursery water body; some of the species breed within the Beel.

BEST TIME TO VISIT:

The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the period of October to March. Visitors can have spectacular view of different species of flora and fauna in the sanctuary.

WAY TO VISIT:

The Sanctuary is nearly 20 km. away from Guwahati city. One can visit the place from within the city or on the way from the airport.                         7. POBITORA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the flood plains of River Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon and about 45 km from Guwahati, the capital of Assam, India. Pobitora originally was a grazing reserve for cattle of erstwhile Nagaon district, came into limelight during the year 1961-62 for sighting of One Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis). During that time a few rhinos strayed out of Lawkhowa and Orang Wild Life Sanctuaries and gradually became resident. Two such grazing reserves comprising 38.83 square kilometers was declared as reserve forests in 1971. In 1987, Pobitora was declared a wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 16 square kilometers. Presently the sanctuary is surrounded by 20 villages, the farmlands of which are frequented by rhinos. Pobitora has exceeded its rhino-bearing capacity and is overpopulated. Thus Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary harbors world's highest density of rhinoceros. In winter, Pobitora becomes a birder’s heaven, with thousands of waterfowl thronging the wetlands. Pobitora can be divided into three distinct categories: forest, grassland and water bodies or beels. Only about 13% of the total area is under tree cover, consisting of Albizzia procera, Bombax ceiba, Lagerstromia flosreginae and Barringtonia acutangula. About 72%of Pobitora consists of wet savannah of Arundo donax, Erianthus ravennae, Phragmites karka, Imperata cylindrica, and Saccharum. The remaining area is covered by water bodies or beels.

BIODIVERSITY:

Pobitora is mainly famous for its great Indian One-horned rhinoceros. Besides rhinoceros, the other animals are leopard, wild boar, Barking deer, wild buffalo etc. Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to more than 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles. It is also an Important Bird Area.

WILDLIFE AT POBITORA SANCTUARY:

The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the one-horned rhinoceros. Apart from this, the other animals found here are wild boars, leopard, barking deer, wild buffalo, etc. This wildlife sanctuary is also a significant bird area as it houses 2000 migratory birds and reptiles. In the last six years, there has been an increase in the number of rhinoceros which has gone up to 93. These 93 rhinoceros are surviving on the 16 sq km area of the park which has led to overpopulation and the exploitation of the rhino bearing capacity of the sanctuary. This has resulted in the animals moving out of the park in search of food.

BEST TIME TO VISIT THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:

The best time to visit Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is from November to February as the climate around that time is pleasant during the day and chilly at night. One needs to carry along adequate amounts of woolens during the months of December-January due to extreme cold. Monsoon period should be strictly avoided as the region is prone to flash floods and the conditions of the roads make travelling almost impossible.

HOW TO REACH POBITORA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY:

·     Air: Flights are available for Guwahati from all major domestic airports in India. From there, you can hire a cab till Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

·   Rail: The nearest rail-head is at Jagiroad which is well connected to Guwahati. From Jagiroad, you can take public buses or a cab.

·   Road: From Guwahati, Pobitora is a 2 hours ride via a narrow road. If coming from Kaziranga on NH 37 take the route for Mayang at Jagiroad. Buses are available from Adabari Bus Station in Guwahati till Chamata. From Chamata catch a public bus for Kolangpur and take an auto rickshaw to the Sanctuary. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Guwahati till Morigaon and a bus from Morigaon till the Sanctuary.

                                                                            Compiled and written by 

                                                                            Naomi Barua. 

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