National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam

Natural Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam

The total forest area of Assam is 26,832 sq km which is approximately 34.21% of its geographical area. Assam has a total of five national parks and 18 wildlife sanctuaries. Let us discuss them in brief.

National Parks of Assam

1. Kaziranga National Park:

Kaziranga National Park is the home to the rare one-horned rhinoceros. Situated at a distance of 212 km from Guwahati and 97 km from Jorhat, this popular national park has an area of approximately 858 sq km. This national park lies partly in Golaghat and partly in Nagaon District.

This forest was given the designation of National Park on 11th February 1974. On 3 August 2007, Kaziranga came under the project Tiger. It was also placed in the World Heritage Site in 1985 for its unique combination of scenic beauty and rare wealth of wildlife. As per Tiger Census in 1985, Kaziranga has 32 tigers per 1000 sq km, which is the highest in the world.

2. Manas National Park:

Manas National Park has an area of approx. 500 sq km. It was recognized as a sanctuary in 1992. In 1973, it came under the Project Tiger as it houses the last surviving population of tigers. It was also placed in World Heritage Site in 1985 for its unique combination of scenic beauty and rare wealth of wildlife. It has the largest number of rarely found wild animals in India which includes 22 species of endangered animals. It was set up as a National Park in 1990.

The rarest species of Manas are hispid hare, pygmy hog, and golden langur. Other commonly seen animals are elephants, Indian rhinoceros, wild buffalo, wild boar, sambar deer, hog deer, etc. Hundreds of winged species migrate to the friendly climate of Manas during winter. Among them are river chats (white-capped redstars), fortails, cormorants, and various types of ducks including the ruddy shelduck. Manas is about 180 km from Guwahati.

3. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park:

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, spread over 340 sq km is one of the hot spots situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra in the extreme east of Assam. Biographically the area exhibits the properties of both Indian and Malayan sub-regions.

Situated in the flood plain of Brahmaputra, Dibru-Saikhowa is a safe haven for many rare and endangered species of wildlife. It is known as the primary habitat of white-winged wood duck, commonly known as Deo Hanh. Various species of monkeys, land and aquatic bird and snakes; deer, wild pig, tiger, etc. are also found in this National Park. This is the only forest reserve of the world where wild horses are found.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park lies partly in Dibrugarh and partly in the Tinsukia district. It is 13 km from Tinsukia town which is 490 km from Guwahati. On 9th March 1999, the Central Government of India recognized it as a National Park.

4. Nameri National Park:

Situated at the foothills of the eastern Himalayas, Nameri National Park covers an area of about 200 sq km. It was known as Nameri Forest Reserve before its name was changed to Naduwar Forest Reserve on 17th November 1978. Nameri was set up as a sanctuary on 18th September 1985 with an area of 137 sq km which was actually a part of Naduwar Forest Reserve. Later, another 63 sq km was added to it and thus it covered an area of 200 sq km when it got the preliminary recognition as a National Park on 27th February 1997. Finally, on 15th November 1998, it was officially established as a National Park.

Nameri is the heaven of many rare animals which includes the white-winged wood duck (Deo Hanh), black beer, many types of deers, butterflies, fishes, elephants, etc. It is about 35 km from Tezpur town.

5. Orang National Park:

The Orang National Park was established as a sanctuary in 1985. On 13th April 1999, the government recognized it as a National Park. Covering an area of 78.81 sq km, Orang National park is a miniature version of the Kaziranga National Park.

Orang National Park is situated on the north bank of river Brahmaputra at Udalguri and Sonitpur district. The various animals and birds found in this National Park are the great one-horned rhinoceros, elephant, leopard, sambar, barking deer, tiger, and varieties of water birds, green pigeon, florican, teal, gees, etc. About 60% of the National Park is grassland.

Wild Life Sanctuaries of Assam

There are 18 wildlife sanctuaries in Assam. Let us discuss some of them.

1. Pobitora Sanctuary:

Pobitora Sanctuary, spread over 38.81 sq km was established as a sanctuary in 1987. It is about 50 km from Guwahati City. Legend says that the king of Mayong gave the name Pobitora in the name of his lovely daughter who died in her teens.

The various wildlife found in this sanctuary are the one-horned rhinoceros, buffalo, wild pig, various species of duck, deer, and various species of birds; both land and aquatic.

2. Garampani Sanctuary:

Garampani Sancturay spread over 6.05 sq km was recognized as a forest reserve in 1952. This sanctuary is famous for its hot spring. Various wildlife found in this sanctuary are elephants, deers, monkeys, tigers, wild pigs, owls, horn-bill, etc. It is located in the Karbi-Anglong district.

3. Laokhowa Sanctuary:

Laokhowa Sanctuary, spread over 70.13 sq km, is located at a distance of about 25 km from Nagaon town. It harbours wildlife species like wild buffalo, swamp deer, duck, cormorant, etc. Various species of reptiles and birds are also found in Lakhowa Sanctuary.

4. Bornadee Sanctuary:

Bornadee sanctuary, stretching over 26.22 sq km, was recognized as a sanctuary in 1981. This sanctuary is famous for pigs, monkeys, buffaloes, bears, leopards, and many types of birds.

5. Sonai-Rupai Sanctuary:

This wildlife Sanctuary, 220 sq km in area, is situated in the Sonitpur district. The sanctuary is the home of elephants, Indian bison, deer, and a variety of hill birds.

6. Pabhoi Sanctuary:

Pabhoi Sanctuary spread over 49 sq km, is famous as the habitat of elephants and wild buffaloes. Situated in Lakhimpur, Pabhoi Sanctuary is created exclusively for the protection of the magnificent wild-water buffalo. It is also home to tigers, and various species of birds- both land and aquatic.

7. Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary:

Burachapori Sanctuary is situated on the south bank of the river Brahmaputra in Sonitpur district. The area of the sanctuary is 44.06 sq km. It is considered to be the ideal habitat for Bengal Florican. Various species of migratory birds are also seen in this sanctuary.

Other attractions are the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Asiatic buffalo, wild boar, otter, civet, cat, leopard, barking deer, etc. Various reptiles and fishes are also found here.