Assam has a total of 20 wildlife sanctuaries due to its richness in biodiversity. Assam falls under one of the 17 hotspots of the world. Assam is the meeting place of at least three main streams of flora and fauna, namely the Indian mainland stream from the west, the China-Japanese stream from north and northeast, and the Malaya stream from south and southeast.
Assam is the gateway to the north-eastern part of India. Formerly the Assam Province (British India), is one of the eight north-eastern states of India.
Situated between 20° N and 28° N latitude and 90° E and 96° E longitude, the state is surrounded by Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya.
It has also the common international boundary of 500 km with Bhutan and 200 km with Bangladesh. It has an area of over 78,438 km2.
The climatic condition and wide variety in physical features witnessed in Assam have resulted in a diversity of ecological habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, which harbor and sustain wide-ranging floral and faunal.
List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam
|
1.
Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary |
11.
East K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
2.
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary |
12.
Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
3.
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary |
13.
Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
4.
Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary |
14.
Nambor - Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
5.
Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary |
15.
Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
6.
Panidehing Wildlife Sanctuary |
16.
Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
7.
Hollongapar Wildlife Sanctuary |
17.
Borail Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
8.
Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary |
18.
Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary |
|
9.
Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary |
19.
Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed) |
|
10.
Bherjan - Borajan - Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary |
20.
North K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed) |
1. Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the oldest Sanctuaries containing Hot water spring and Waterfalls and surrounded by Nambor Sanctuary having 51 rare species of Orchid. Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary is a 6.05 km2 (2.34 sq. mi) wildlife sanctuary located in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, India.
It is 25 km
(16 mi) from Golaghat. Mammals like Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Bear, Sambar,
Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Wild pig, etc. Birds like The
Great pied Hornbill, Hill myna, etc. and also reptiles such as Python, Cobra,
Monitor lizards.
How to reach: From the nearest Airport Dimapur is 55 km and from Jorhat Airport is 85 km away. The road distances from nearest towns are
Golaghat is 35 km, from Diphu is 92 km, from Guwahati is 330 km and Kaziranga
is 45 km away. My recommendation will be land on Guwahati go to Kaziranga which is also the biggest National Park in Assam
make a one day trip from there to Garampani.
2. Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of around 70.13
sq km and lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River. It forms an
integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system and is a notified buffer
of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
The sanctuary is home to the great Indian-one horned
rhinoceros, elephants, royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic water buffaloes and more
than 225 species of birds.
The barking deer, fishing cat, leopard cat, civet and wild
pig are some of the other animals seen in the sanctuary. The sanctuary is also
a breeding ground for around 39 species of fishes, 9 species of amphibians and
14 species of reptiles.
How to reach: The distance by road from Nagaon is 28 Kms. and
from Guwahati is 148 Kms. The nearest Railway Station is Nagaon and the nearest
Airport is LGBI Airport (Guwahati).
3. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary 22.26 km2 (10.12 sq. mi)
wildlife sanctuary situated on the foothills of Himalayas bordering Bhutan in
the north and in Udalguri district and Baksa District of Assam.
This sanctuary is named after the river Bornadi which flows
on its western border.
The sanctuary was established in 1980 to protect the hispid
hare (Caprolagus hispidus) and pigmy hog (Porcula salvania). Pretty
approachable at about
The sanctuary is home to many birds such as The White
Capped Water Redstart and the Red-Billed Blue Magpie. Other bird species such
as Peafowl, Hornbill, Swamp partridge, Bengal florican etc.
Animals including panther, deer, Himalayan goat and even a
leopard at times. Other animal species like Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Leopard,
Small Indian Civet, Jungle Cat, Chinese Pangolin, Porcupine, Himalayan Black
Bear, Barking Deer, Pygmy Hog, Wild Pig, Hispid Hare are found here.
How to reach: The nearest Airport LGBI, Guwahati is about
150 km. away. The Sanctuary has located 70 km. from Mangaldoi, about 120 km.
from Tezpur and 140 km. from Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.
4. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
With an area of 45.50 sq. km., Chakrasila Wildlife
Sanctuary is located in the Dhubri district in the western Assam and is the second home of Golden Langur off the foothills of Himalaya.
Popular for its Golden Langur, this enchanting Sanctuary is
spread across and is specially designated for long-term conservation and
preservation of Golden Langur.
Different kinds of mammals and birds, twenty-three species
of reptiles including snakes, lizards and turtles, more than forty species of
butterfly are found in this sanctuary. Some species of mammals recorded in this
sanctuary are Indian short-tailed mole, Indian flying fox, short-nosed fruit
bat, Indian false vampire, Indian pipistrelle, rhesus macaque, Chinese
pangolin, Asiatic jackal and Bengal fox. Hornbills are also spotted here. It is
also a safe haven for a variety of endangered animals.
How to reach: By road from Salonibari Airport (Tezpur) it is
30 Km, from Guwahati - 160 Kms, from Jorhat - 180 Km. and from Nagaon- 40 Km.
5. Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Located on the southern bank of river Brahmaputra in the
Sonitpur district with an area of 44.06 km2. the Sanctuary is a part
of Laokhowa – Burachapori eco-system and comprises of a mosaic of wet alluvial
grassland, riparian and semi-evergreen forests dotted by wetland and river
system.
Animals such as Tiger, Leopard, Wild Buffalo, Hog Deer, Wild
Pigs etc. and occasional visit of herd of Elephants. And Birds such as Bengal
Florican, Swamp partridge(fancolin), Wood Cock, Water Hen, Parakeets etc are
found here.
How to reach: By road from Salonibari Airport (Tezpur) it is
30 Km, from Guwahati - 160 Km, from Jorhat - 180 Km. and from Nagaon- 40 Km.
6. Pani Dihing Wildlife Sanctuary
A rich wetland eco-system of 33.93 sq. km. on the southern
bank of river Brahmaputra in the Sibsagar district.
The sanctuary is bordered by the Brahmaputra and the Dishang
rivers in the northwest and south respectively.
As many as 165 species of birds including 70 species of
migratory birds have been identified and recorded at Pani Dihing. The common
birds seen are Bar-headed Goose, Grey leg Goose, Spot-billed Duck, Mallard,
Gadwall, Wigeon, Garganey, Shoveller, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard,
Ferruginous Duck, Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Openbill Stork, White
necked Stork etc.
How to reach: By road from Rowriah Airport (Jorhat) it is 80
Km, from Mohanbari Airport (Dibrugarh) 88 Km, from Sibsagar 22 Km, from Jorhat
75Km, from Dibrugarh 73 Km. and from Guwahati it is 386 Km.
7. Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is named after the Hoolock Gibbon- an only
Ape which is found in India and the Hollong- a dominant tree species in this
region. It is a small sanctuary spread over the small area of around 21 sq km
in the Jorhat district of Assam.
The landscape is having evergreen patches of greenery like
semi-forest amidst the tea farms and villages. Also known as the Hollongapar
Reserve Forest, this wildlife sanctuary is a famous tourist spot near the
Kaziranga. Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary was bifurcated from the Hollongapar
reserved forest in Jorhat district of Assam.
This wildlife sanctuary is unique because it hosts India’s
only nocturnal primate – the Hoolock Gibbon.
The other wildlife species that are found here include
eastern Assamese macaque, wild boar, tigers, stump-tailed macaque, capped
langur, jungle cats, different types of squirrel and civet, Indian elephants
and several other mammals.
How to reach: By road from Rowriah Airport (Jorhat) it is 80 Km, from Mohanbari Airport (Dibrugarh) 88 Kms., from Sibsagar 22 Kms., from Jorhat 75Kms., from Dibrugarh 73 Kms. and from Guwahati it is 386 Kms.
8. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary harbors the world's highest density of One-horned Rhinoceros, located in Morigaon district, but close to Guwahati City.
The habitat comprises of Assam alluvial grassland with hilly forests for an
area of 38.81 sq. km.
This is also an Important Bird Area. 375 species of both
migratory and resident birds of 46 families have been recorded so far, with 14
listed in the Indian Red Data Book.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled in the grasslands of Assam which is the dwelling place of the Greater Indian One-Horned Rhinoceroses with its highest population in the whole world.
It is landlocked by Assamese
villages from every side of it with the traditional Assamese culture.
How to reach: From Guwahati 35 Km. via Chandrapur and 52 Km.
via NH-37 Sonapur.
9. Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary is located in the foothills of Himalaya in the
Sonitpur district with an area of 220 km2. and offers views of both
scenic beauty and wildlife.
The sanctuary has diverse wildlife among these animals like Tiger, Lesser Cats, Elephant, Gaur, Wild Boar,
Hog Deer, Barking Deer and avian species such as White Winged Wood Duck, Hornbill, Pelican, etc and
reptiles species Python, Russell's Viper
etc. are found here.
How to reach: The Salonibari (Tezpur) Airport is 45 Km. from
the Sanctuary. The nearest Town - Tezpur is 52 Km. and Dhekiajuli is 30 Km. from
the Sanctuary.
10. Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary
Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Tinsukia district of Assam in India covering 7.22 km2.
The Sanctuary with 3 separate blocks is located in Upper
Assam which consists of three separate forests, namely Bherjan, Borajan and
Padumoni Tinsukia district and is an ideal habitat for the Primate species.
Some important animals found in the Sanctuary are Slow
Loris, Assamese Macaque, Pig-tailed Macaque, Rhesus Macaque, Capped Languor, and
Stump tailed Macaque and Hoolock Gibbon, besides few Leopards, Wild Pigs and
Giant Flying Squirrel etc.
Important 84 species of avian have been found including
Osprey, Kingfisher, Indian Pied Hornbill, Lineated Barbet, Woodpecker, Drongo,
Common Mynah, Bulbul, Magpie Robin, Wagtail and varieties of woodland birds.
How to reach: By road from Mohanbari (Dibrugarh) Airport it
is about 40 km away. From Tinsukia town - Bherjan block is 3 km away, Borajan
block is 6 km away and Padumoni block is 5 km.
11. East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary, with 221.81 sq. km. is an important component of the Karbi Anglong–Kaziranga landscape, rich in both floral & faunal diversity.
Animal species such as Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Bears,
Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Wild pigs, Lesser cats and High
diversity of woodland birds also Reptiles and Amphibians species like Python,
Cobra, Monitor lizards, Hill tortoise, etc are found here.
How to reach: From Dimapur Airport the Sanctuary is 150 km.
away by road, from the LGBI Airport Guwahati, it is about 190 km. and from
Rowraiah (Jorhat) Airport is 110 Kms. away.
12. Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary
Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading 37 km2. contiguous to Garampani WLS
is located in Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council. It harbors 51 rare
species of Orchid and animal and avian species like Tiger, Elephant, Gaur,
Bears, Sambar, Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Wild pig and Wreathed Hornbill, etc are found here.
How to reach: From the Rowriah (Jorhat) Airport it is 68
km. away and from the Guwahati LGBI Airport it is 318 km. away. The distance
of the Sanctuary from Jorhat is 68 km., from Dimapur is 77 km.
13. Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary
Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary, spreading 451.00 km2.
is located in Karbi Anglong Autonomous District Council. It is an important
component of the Dhansiri- Lungding Elephant Reserve. Mammals spices found here are
Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Lesser Cat, Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Porcupine, Slow
Loris, Pangolin, etc and also a variety of reptiles spices such as Banded Krait,
Rock Python, Monitor Lizard, Brown Hill Tortoise, etc.
How to reach: From Dimapur Airport it is only 60 km. away
and from Diphu Railway Station it is at a distance of 8 km.
14. Nambor - Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary
The Nambor Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary is located at about a
distance of 25 km from the Golaghat town of Assam. This place is covered with
tropical forests and was recognized as a sanctuary by the Assam government in the
year 2003. This sanctuary is a part of the Kaziranga Karbi Anglong Elephant
Reserve and houses a wide variety of wildlife creatures along with a collection
of flora.
Some of the flora species found in here are Bhelu, Gomari,
Ajar, Nahor, Udiyam, Poma, Bon Som etc. It harbors some rare species of
orchids.
Animals species elephant, the hoolock gibbon, stumped tailed
macaque, pig-tailed macaque, slow loris, Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque,
tiger, leopard, fishing cat, barking deer, sambar, wild pigs, gaur, etc.
Birds spices found in here are white-winged wood duck, great
pied hornbill, wreathed hornbill, adjutant stork, etc and also some reptiles
such as tortoise, monitor lizard, python, etc found in here.
How to reach: From the Rowriah (Jorhat) Airport it is 68
km. away and from the Guwahati LGBI Airport it is 318 km. away. The distance
of the Sanctuary from Jorhat is 68 km., from Dimapur is 77 km. and from
Kohora (Kaziranga N.P) is 70 km.
15. Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary spreading in an area of 78.64 km2. is located in the eastern fringe of Guwahati city. Important Mammals are Chinese pangolin, Flying fox, Slow Loris, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque, Capped languor, Hoolock gibbon, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Leopard, Elephant, Wild pig, Sambar, Barking deer, Gaur, Porcupine etc.
Important Birds are Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant,
White-backed Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, Khaleej Pheasant Green Imperial
Pigeon, Lesser Pied Hornbill, etc and some Reptiles species Python, Monitor
Lizard, Indian Cobra, etc.
How to reach: From Guwahati LGBI Airport it is 40 Kms. away and from Guwahati Railway Station it is only 15 km. away.
16. Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Dibrugarh
and Tinsukia Districts of Assam and covers an area of 111.19 km2 (42.93
sq mi) rainforest. It is part of the Assam valley tropical wet evergreen forest
and consists of three parts: Jeypore, upper Dihing River and Dirok rainforest.
It was declared a sanctuary on 13 June 2004. This sanctuary
is also a part of Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve. The rainforest stretches for
more than 575 km2 (222 sq mi) in the districts of Dibrugarh,
Tinsukia and Charaideo.
A part of the forest was declared as a wildlife sanctuary by
the Government of Assam, while another part falls under the Dibru-Deomali
Elephant Reserve. The forest further spreads over in the Tirap and Changlang
districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The Dehing Patkai forms the largest stretch of
tropical lowland rainforests in India.
Fauna:
Chinese pangolin, Flying fox, Slow loris, Stump-tailed
macaque, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque, Capped langur, Hoolock gibbon,
Himalayan black bear, Hog – badger, Jungle cat, Leopard cat, Fishing cat,
Marbled cat, Clouded leopard, Leopard, Tiger, Wild pig, Sambar, Barking deer,
Gaur, Serow, Malayan giant squirrels, Porcupine, Pig-tailed macaque, etc.
Birds:
Lesser Adjutant Stork, White Winged Wood duck, White-backed
Vulture, Slender-billed Vulture, White-cheeked Hill Partridge, Khaleej
Pheasant, Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Rufus necked Hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill,
Great Pied Hornbill, Beautiful Nuthatch, Black-browed Leaf Wabler, Green
Imperial Pigeon, Purple wood or Pale capped Pigeon, etc.
Reptiles: Rock python, King cobra, Asian leaf turtle,
Monitor Lizard etc.
How to reach: From Mohanbari (Dibrugarh) Airport the
Sanctuary is about 80 km. away. The Sanctuary is close to Digboi, Duliajan and
Margherita towns.
17. Borail Wildlife Sanctuary
Borail Wildlife Sanctuary the sanctuary consists of the
North Cachar Reserve Forest and Borail Reserve Forest, which are classified as
tropical moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The forest is home to a
wide diversity of wildlife.
Mammals include serow, Himalayan black bear, Hoolock gibbon,
Languor, macaques, Jungle cat, Clouded leopard, Barking deer and more. Birds
found include White-backed vulture, Slender-billed vulture, partridge,
pheasant, hornbill and more. Reptiles include rock python and King cobra.
How to reach: The nearest Silchar (Kumbirgram) Airport is 40
Km. away. The road distances from the nearest Town are – Silchar is 40 Kms.
and Karimganj is 40 Km away.
18. Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary
Dipor Bil, also spelled Deepor Beel, is located to the
south-west of Guwahati city, in Kamrup district of Assam, India. It is a
permanent freshwater lake, in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River, to the
south of the main river. It is also called a wetland under the Ramsar
Convention which has listed the lake in November 2002, as a Ramsar Site for
undertaking conservation measures on the basis of its biological and
environmental importance.
170 species of Birds - 2 Critically Endangered, 1
Endangered, 5 Vulnerable and 4 Near Threatened. The major Avian species are
Greater Adjutant Stork, Whistling Teal, Open Billed Stork, Shoveler, Pintail,
Garganey and high concentration of Pheasant tail jacanas etc. The occasional visit
of herd Elephant from the adjacent Rani–Garbhanga landscape.
The Inhabitant species recorded so far are 12 species of
Reptiles, 50 species of Fishes, 6 species of Amphibians, along with 155 species
of aquatic macro-biota etc. and Hunting Wasp and arrays of Butterflies &
Insect community.
How to reach: It is barely 18 km away from the heart of
Guwahati city and well known for its pristine beauty & exceptional
avifaunal diversity. Fringed by the Rani-Garbhanga Reserved Forests with mixed
deciduous to patches of semi-evergreen forests on its southern edge, it offers
a rare sight where one sees a fascinating convergence of both wetland and
forest eco-system.
19. Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Wildlife Sanctuary
The districts of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur, Bordoibam Beelmukh
Bird Sanctuary is a proposed bird sanctuary and a lesser-explored paradise for
birdwatchers. It is home to many migratory and endangered birds along with
different varieties of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, etc.
Around 181 bird species could be found in Bordoibam. It is
frequented by a large variety of birds such as Whistling Teal, Fishing Eagle,
Open-billed Stork, Cotton Pygmy-Goose, Swamp Partridge, Pied Myna, Drongo, etc
Bordoibam is the perfect place to unwind yourself from the
chaos of city life and spend some time spotting birds in a serene environment.
How to reach: From Lakhimpur (Lilabari ) Airport it is 54 Km.
away.
20. North Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary though located in Karbi Anglong Autonomous
District Council, is extremely important for the survival of Kaziranga N.P., as
it is strategically located to the south of Kaziranga National Park and
provides shelter to most of the animals of the park while migrating during
annual floods.
The sanctuary is home of Tiger, Lesser cats, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar,
Bears, Barking deer, Rhesus macaque, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, Slow loris
etc.
How to reach: From Jorhat Airport it is about 88 km away and from Guwahati LGBI Airport it is about 217 km. The Sanctuary is also 205 km away from Diphu.