Assam Key Protected Areas

Introduction

Assam, located in the northeastern region of India, is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The state is home to several national parks, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, and Ramsar sites, making it a critical region for conservation efforts. Below is an overview of these protected areas.

National Parks in Assam

Assam has seven national parks, each contributing uniquely to the state’s ecological diversity.

• Kaziranga National Park

• • Established in 1904 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

• • Famous for hosting two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceroses.

• • Other key species: Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, swamp deer, and wild water buffalo.

• • Vegetation: Alluvial grasslands and tropical moist deciduous forests.

• Manas National Park

• • A UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the foothills of the Himalayas.

• • Known for its population of tigers and elephants.

• • It is also a biosphere reserve and an important bird area.

• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

• • Located in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River.

• • Known for its feral horses and rich avifauna.

• Nameri National Park

• • Situated in the Sonitpur district, it shares its boundary with Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve.

• • Famous for Bengal tigers, clouded leopards, and white-winged wood ducks.

• Orang National Park

• • Often referred to as “Mini Kaziranga” due to its similar landscape.

• • Home to one-horned rhinoceroses, pygmy hogs, and Gangetic dolphins.

• Dehing Patkai National Park

• • Known as the “Amazon of the East,” it harbors India’s largest stretch of lowland rainforests.

• • Unique for its seven species of wild cats, including the clouded leopard and golden cat.

• Raimona National Park

• • Located in western Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region.
  • Part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.

Tiger Reserves in Assam

Assam has four tiger reserves under Project Tiger:

• Kaziranga Tiger Reserve

• • Declared a tiger reserve in 2007.

• • Hosts a significant population of Bengal tigers.

• Manas Tiger Reserve

• • Known for its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife.

• • A critical habitat for tigers and other endangered species like the pygmy hog.

• Nameri Tiger Reserve

• • Located near the eastern Himalayas.

• • Famous for its tiger population as well as other large mammals like elephants.

• Orang Tiger Reserve

• • Declared a tiger reserve in 2016.
  • Supports a healthy population of Bengal tigers alongside other iconic species.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Assam

In addition to national parks and tiger reserves, Assam has numerous wildlife sanctuaries that protect specific ecosystems:

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

• Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

• Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

• Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
• Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary

Ramsar Sites in Assam

Assam has two Ramsar sites that are internationally recognized wetlands:

• Deepor Beel

• • A freshwater lake near Guwahati that supports migratory birds like spot-billed pelicans and white-bellied herons.

• Ranganadi Wetlands
  • Known for their ecological importance in supporting aquatic biodiversity.

Significance of Protected Areas

• These regions play a crucial role in conserving endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, pygmy hog, and Gangetic dolphin.
• They also contribute to maintaining ecological balance by protecting vital ecosystems such as wetlands, grasslands, and rainforests.

Challenges

Despite their ecological importance, Assam’s protected areas face several challenges:

• Habitat destruction due to deforestation, mining (e.g., coal mining near Dehing Patkai), and agricultural expansion.
• Human-wildlife conflicts arising from encroachments into forest areas.
• Poaching activities targeting species like rhinos for their horns.

Conservation Efforts

1. Implementation of Project Tiger and Project Elephant to protect flagship species.
2. Community involvement through eco-tourism initiatives that provide alternative livelihoods to local populations.
3. Regular monitoring by organizations like NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) and BirdLife International.