Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Category: Environment | Wildlife Conservation | Indian Geography

UPSC Notes

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Morigaon district of Assam. It is particularly famous for its population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros and its high density of rhinos relative to its small geographical area.

The sanctuary consists largely of alluvial grasslands and wetlands, providing habitats for mammals and a wide variety of resident and migratory birds.

Key Pointers

  • State: Assam.

  • District: Morigaon.

  • Area: Approximately 38.81 sq. km, according to the Assam Forest Department.

  • Flagship species: Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis).

  • Habitat: Alluvial grasslands, wetlands and associated woodland.

  • Other wildlife: Wild boar, leopard and several wetland and grassland bird species.

  • Conservation concern: High animal density, flooding, habitat pressure and human–wildlife interactions.

  • Important distinction: Pobitora is a wildlife sanctuary, not a national park.

The Assam Forest Department identifies Pobitora as an Important Bird Area and notes its high density of one-horned rhinoceroses.

 

UPSC relevance: Protected areas of Northeast India, rhinoceros conservation, grassland ecology and human–wildlife conflict.