Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam reopens

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Central Assam's Morigaon district, with a dense population of the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, reopened for tourists on Sunday after a routine closure of four months during the monsoons.

Located in the western part of the district and adjacent to Guwahati, the sanctuary was formally reopened for both foreign and domestic visitors this morning by Assam Forest Minister Rockeybul Hussain at a colourful programme.

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During this monsoon, some parts of Pobitora Sanctuary were damaged due to the flooding of Brahmaputra, a sanctuary official said. No poaching had taken place during the floods, the official claimed.

Having the densest population of one horned rhinos in the world, the 38 sq km Pobitora has over 90 rhinos in the only 16 sq km effective rhino habitat, they said. 

Pobitora has leopards, wild boar, barking deer, wild buffalo and is also home to more than 2,000 migratory birds and various reptiles, an official added.

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Last year, the Forest Department had earned over Rs 7 lakh revenue from tourists who visited Pobitora. This year the department expects more foreign tourists to visit the sanctuary.