Nomad Saikat
For every nature and animal lover, being amidst nature is one of the most enjoyable activities to indulge in. And nothing can be better than visiting a wildlife sanctuary for a person like that. However if you are in Assam then you can rejoice already. Assam is known for its verdant beauty and rich flora and fauna. The same is reflected in the sanctuaries of Assam as well. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is one of the richest wildlife sanctuaries. With a variety of flora and fauna the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the popular tourist spots as well.
Furthermore the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its dense population of the rare one horned rhinos. So if you are interested in exploring this sanctuary then keep on reading this article. In this article I will mention all the necessary information about this sanctuary that you might need. If you are in Assam or visiting there then this article will be a helpful read for you.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Where is Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary?
The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Morigaon, Assam
Timings :
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary timings: 7 am to 4 pm
Jungle Safari Timings:
- Elephant Safari 6:30 am to 2:30 pm
- Jeep Safari 7 am to 3 pm
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary ticket price:
Rs. 50 for Indians and Rs. 500 for foreigners. If you are willing to take a guide then the charge is Rs. 300. Safaris are also very popular in this sanctuary. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary jeep safari price is Rs. 2000 per jeep with maximum 6 people. For Elephant Safari the charge is Rs. 800.
Overview of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Located on the bank of Brahmaputra the Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary is one of the richest sanctuaries not only in Assam but in India as well. This sanctuary spreads across an area of 38.5 sq km. What makes this sanctuary even more popular is the population of Rhinos here. It is situated at a 40 km distance from Guwahati. At first Pobitora was basically a small grazing reserve for cattle. During the period of 1961 to 1962 Pobitora came into limelight with the visibility of one horned rhino. Later in 1971 this sanctuary was declared as a reserve forest. Finally in 1987 Pobitora became a Wildlife Sanctuary.
One of the most popular tourist spots in Guwahati, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is like a treasure trove of one horned rhinos. Other than Kaziranga National Park, the famed one horned rhinos are found in huge numbers here. During the last few years the numbers of rhinos here have increased 10 %. With 107 rhinos at present it has exceeded its mark of density and right now the sanctuary is overpopulated with rhinos. Furthermore on a 16 sq km area the rhinos are presently surviving here. If there is anything that makes Pobitora famous and popular it is undoubtedly the number of endangered one horned rhinos.
However, not just the Rhinos, the sanctuary is also rich in other flora and fauna as well. This sanctuary houses a considerable number of bird species as well. Therefore this sanctuary is also known as the Bharatpur of the East. Almost around 2000 species of exotic and migratory birds find their home in this sanctuary. For a bird watcher this can ideally be a paradise for sure. Therefore this is also one of the designated Important Bird Areas (IBA).
Biodiversity in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Flora
In Pobitora more than 70% is wet savanna. Here the grassland vegetation consists of 15 types of grass species. Southern Cut grass, Whip Grass, Signal grass etc are some of these. Rhinos survive in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary because of the wet grasslands. These grasslands provide a perfect habitat as well as food resource for the Indian one horned rhinos. Furthermore there are 3 distinct zones in this sanctuary. The first is the forest zone, second is grassland and the third is the water body. While 72% of the total area here is wet grassland, 13% is tree cover. Water bodies therefore cover the remaining portion.
Fauna
Of course the endangered one horned rhino is the major attraction in this sanctuary. At present this sanctuary is home to the highest population of Rhino according to density. In an area of 38 sq km 107 rhinos are surviving at present. Furthermore the speciality of the one horned rhino is that these rhinos are the biggest of the rhino species. Not everywhere you will be able to spot these rhinos. In the Himalayan foothills especially in India and Nepal these are found. Grasslands and woodland are more suitable for the survival of these rhinos. Kaziranga National Park has the highest number of rhinos. But the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary does have a thick population density of rhinos. Special feature of these rhinos is the single black horn.
Other than rhinos there are other animals here as well. There are 22 species of mammals, 80 species of butterflies and 8 species of turtles here. Moreover there are 9 species of amphibians and 27 species of reptiles found here too. You can find Leopard, Golden Jackal, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Feral Water Buffalo, and Rhesus Macaque etc. Among bird species you can find Hill Myna, Indian Pied Hornbill, Kalij Pheasant, Osprey etc. Along with that you can see many notable reptiles here too.
How to reach Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
By air
The nearest airport to reach the sanctuary is Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. Guwahati to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary distance is 62 km. You can take a cab or a car to reach the sanctuary from the airport via Chandrapur.
By train
If you are travelling in a train then the nearest railway station to reach the sanctuary is Jagiroad Railway Station in Morigaon. The distance from the station is about 31 km to reach the sanctuary. You can either get a cab or a car to reach there from the railway station.
By road
The Mayong Bus Stand is the nearest bus stand to reach the sanctuary at a distance of 2.5 km. You can also drive through nearby cities or towns to reach the sanctuary by road.
Best time to visit Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Even though this Wildlife Sanctuary is an all year round destination, it remains closed during monsoon. This sanctuary remains close with the onset of the monsoon and opens after the monsoon season is over. The ideal time to visit here however is from November to March. During this time the weather here remains most pleasant. Along with that you will be able to spot more migratory birds during this time too. So if you are planning to visit here try to visit during this time. You will feel comfortable exploring the whole area without any hassle.
Activities in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
The management of the sanctuary arranges the jungle safaris here which are one of the most popular activities here. However, the entrance of the sanctuary is near the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Forest Range Office. From there you will have to cross a hanging bridge to finally enter the sanctuary. Elephant Safari and Jeep Safaris are two of the safaris available here. While jeep safaris can take you much deeper into the forest and will give you a great insight of the whole sanctuary, the elephant safari is totally one of a kind. Most of the visitors prefer this safari for the thrill and excitement of it. Here you need to sit on top of an elephant and then you will tour the whole sanctuary. Usually this is a one hour ride. Furthermore it can be one of the experiences that you would like to cherish for a lifetime.
Bird watching is another activity that is very popular here. Do not forget to carry your binoculars and cameras to capture the best of everything. Moreover the presence of birds makes it a haven for bird lovers.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Booking
For the booking of the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary you can visit their official website. You can check out the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary contact details if you want to do an advance booking before visiting the sanctuary.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary official website: pobitorasafari.in and pobitorawildlifesanctuary.in
Email: [email protected]
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Accommodation
Some options of accommodation are available in Pobitora. However the best option for staying here is the Forest Department Guest House. To enjoy the whole wild vibe of the forest you need to check this one out.
Wrapping Up!
If you are in Assam or Guwahati or anywhere nearby then this Wildlife Sanctuary should surely be in your itinerary. This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and rich sanctuaries that you can visit. You will surely feel elated after enjoying the wildlife safaris here. I am sure this will be one of a kind of an experience for you. And you will cherish the memories and moments created here for a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary as soon as you can. Enjoy being amidst nature along with enjoying the rich variety of flora and fauna. Do let me know if this particular article is helpful for you in planning your trip. Also do let me know when you are planning a trip to this amazing sanctuary.
