6 wildlife sanctuaries in Assam worth exploring

Assam is a land with vast forests, grasslands, rivers, and wetlands that support a great variety of wildlife. Assam’s network of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries also protects endangered tigers, elephants, primates, and countless bird species. Visitors can spot some amazing wildlife species here in the pristine surroundings. Let’s look at some must-visit wildlife sanctuaries that should definitely be on your bucket list:

Assam’s most famous wildlife sanctuary, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spread across the districts of Golaghat and Nagaon. This national park hosts a diverse range of animals such as Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, Bengal tigers, and numerous bird species. The Kaziranga National Park hosts almost two-thirds of the world’s Indian rhinoceroses. With tropical moist deciduous forests, extensive grasslands, and wetlands, Kaziranga is a prime habitat for many endangered animals. The best visiting season is October to April when wildlife sightings are common.

The Manas National Park is located along the Himalayan foothills and borders Bhutan. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also provides shelter to endangered species such as pygmy hog, Assam roofed turtle, golden langur, and wild water buffalo. The landscape includes tropical forests, grasslands, and riverine areas. Great conservation efforts have been taken for species that have been under threat and impacted by poaching.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Guwahati and has one of the highest densities of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses in the world. The sanctuary also hosts water buffalo, golden jackal, wild boar, and large populations of migratory and resident birds. It is an Important Bird Area and home to more than 2,000 migratory birds and various reptiles. The habitat available here includes grasslands and wetlands and is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra in Morigaon district in Assam.

A national park located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam and is surrounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers. One will find moist mixed semi-evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forests, and grasslands. The habitat here is heaven for many endangered species and also houses many other animals such as Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, clouded leopard, jungle cat, and more. It is an Important Bird Area rich in biodiversity, home to rare species like the white-winged wood duck.

Located near the Arunachal border, the national park offers lush forests, grasslands, and the Jia-Bhoroli River. It is both a wildlife sanctuary and a tiger reserve and supports elephants, tigers, leopards, Himalayan black bears, and various primates. Birdlife includes rare species like the great hornbill. The Nameri National Park has great natural beauty and also offers guided treks through the park.

The Orang National Park is situated on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. This national park hosts a large population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses, elephants, and tigers. The park’s diverse ecosystems include grasslands, swamps, and riverine forests. Orang also supports a rich bird population, including migratory waterfowl, making it popular for birdwatching tours.