Explore the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Majestic Indian Rhinos

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Morigaon district of the northeastern Indian state of Assam. It is situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and is approximately 30 kilometers east of Guwahati, the largest city in Assam.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of around 38.85 square kilometers and provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species, especially the Vulnerable Indian one-horned rhinoceros. It is often referred to as ‘Mini Kaziranga’ due to its similarities with the famous Kaziranga National Park in terms of landscape, vegetation, and wildlife population.

The sanctuary plays a vital role in the conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros and has witnessed a growth in the population of this species over the years. Pobitora’s mission is focused on protecting these rhinos. Its proximity to Guwahati makes Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary easily accessible for tourists and wildlife enthusiasts.

Hereby, the UCN Team offers a comprehensive analysis, giving you key concepts and insights into the importance of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Overview

Sections	Details
Basic Information	Date of Notification: 2 September 1987 Area: 38.81 km2 Best Time to Visit: November-March
Habitat	Assam alluvial grassland Hilly forest
Geographic Zone	North-east
Animals	One-horned Rhinoceros Leopard Leopard Cat Fishing Cat Jungle Cat Chinese Pangolin
Plants	Cynodon dactylon Whip Gross Vetiver Spp. Saccharum ravennae Phragmites karka Southern Cutgrass Brachiaria pseudointerrupta

Geography

Location

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Morigaon district of Assam, which is in northeastern India.
• It is situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
• The sanctuary is located approximately 30 km east of Guwahati, which is the largest city in Assam.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Interactive Map

Area

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of around 38.85 square kilometers (15 square miles).
• Though relatively compact in size, it provides ecologically significant habitat for wildlife.

Rivers

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River.
• The presence of this major river near the sanctuary contributes to Pobitora’s ecological diversity.
• The Brahmaputra River provides an important water source for the wildlife inhabiting Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Flora

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has a diverse range of flora that contributes to its unique habitat.

Types

• The sanctuary has extensive grasslands that are home to various grass species like Cynodon dactylon, whip grass, vetiver, and more. These grasses provide food and habitat for herbivores like the rhinoceros.
• There are many wetland areas in Pobitora, with wetland vegetation like Phragmites karka.
• In the water bodies of the sanctuary, you can find aquatic plants like water hyacinth.
• Though primarily grassland, the sanctuary also has some areas with trees and shrubs.
• Along the Brahmaputra River banks, there is riverine vegetation specifically adapted to that riparian environment.

Fauna

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Mammals

• The sanctuary is best known for its significant population of one-horned rhinoceros.
• Other mammals found here include Asiatic water buffalo, Asian elephant, leopard, and wild boar.

Birds

• There is a wide variety of birds in Pobitora. Some notable ones are Brahminy ducks, Indian peafowl, osprey, and adjutant stork.
• The sanctuary is an important habitat and breeding ground for many resident and migratory birds.

Reptiles

• Reptiles like the Indian python and various monitor lizards inhabit the sanctuary.
• There are also many different snake and turtle species found in Pobitora.

Final Thoughts

As the UCN team sees it, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is an ecologically significant protected area located in Assam, India. With its grasslands, wetlands, and riverine habitat along the Brahmaputra River, it is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

The sanctuary plays a vital role in the conservation of the Vulnerable Indian one-horned rhinoceros and has a high density of this species. Its rhino population has grown over the years due to successful conservation efforts.

Other key highlights of Pobitora are its many resident and migratory bird species as well as other mammals like elephants, buffaloes, and leopards. Its proximity to Guwahati makes it an accessible and popular destination for wildlife tourism.

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