Pabitara

A wildlife reserve at Pabitara, Assam. Situated at lower Brahmaputra Valley, it is in the Morigaon district which are filled with the highest density of rhinoceros. The Wildlife Sanctuary is a small heaven for the wildlife enthusiasts. It is one of the two treasure troves of the famed and endangered one-horned Rhinos in Assam, another being Kaziranga.

Comprising 38.83 square kilometers, it was declared as reserve forest in 1971 and eventually got the wildlife sanctuary status in 1987. The sanctuary is divided into three distinct categories: forest, grassland and water bodies with beels. Only about 13% of the total area is under forest cover and 72% of area has wet grasslands.

The reserve has exceeded its rhino-bearing capacity and is overpopulated. Besides rhinoceros, other animals spotted here are leopard, wild boar, barking deer, wild buffalo etc. Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has more than 2000 migratory birds and various indigenous reptiles along with Elephant rides or jeep safaris which are organized by the management. They arrange three members to ride on in each elephant for jungle safari deep inside the forest for an hour.

The entrance through the Range Office at Raja Mayang marks a way from where you have to cross the hanging bridge for entering inside the wildlife area. There are many accommodations for tourists at Pobitora. The best option is to stay on a Forest Department Guest House.