VIJAY'S - Assam

Assam......the rich, green land of rolling plains and dense forests is the gateway to the north eastern part of India. The mighty Brahmaputra river that has its origins in Tibet charts its majestic course through this state. This mystic land of eternal blue hills and beautiful rivers is renowned for its tea, rich flora and fauna, the world famous one horned rhinoceros and other rare species of wildlife on the verge of extinction. Barring Africa, there is perhaps no part of the world where such a variety of wildlife exists.

Situated between 90-96 degree East Longitute and 24-28 degree North Latitude, Assam is bordered in the North and East by the Kingdom of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Along the south lies Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Meghalaya lies to her South-West, Bengal and Bangladesh to her West.

District map of Assam

Wild Life :

Hollock Gibbon is the only ape found in the Indian sub continent. They require prime evergreen forest for survival.

The best season to visit is from November to April.
Recommended clothing is Woolen in Winter and light cottons in Summer. Manas National Park
The only Tiger Project in Assam, Manas is one of India's most magnificent National Parks. It is situated on the bank of the river Manas at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a well known World heritage site with it's unique combination of scenic beauty and rare wealth of wildlife.

Covering an area of 519.77 Sq. Kms, it has a core area of 360 Kms and is situated in Barpeta District. Manas is one of the nine tiger reserve sanctuaries in India. Tigers however are not the only wildlife to be found here. Manas has its own peculiar faunal features, the rarest species of which are Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Buffalo etc. Other commonly seen animals are Elephant, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Wild Boar, Samber, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer etc.

View of the river flowing through Manas National Park

Hundreds of the winged species migrate to the friendly climate of Manas during Winter. Among them are Riverchats (White Capped Redstars), Forktails, Cormorants and various types of ducks including the Ruddy Shelduck. The woodland birds are no less charming and include the Indian Hornbill and the Great Pied Hornbill. Manas is 176 kms from Guwahati by road. The nearest airport is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati. The nearest railhead is Barpeta Road Station which is 40 kms away from Manas.
Season to visit is from November to April. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
The fourth National Park of the state, this National Park lies partly in Dibrugarh district and partly in Tinsukia district and covers an area of about 340 sq.km.

This important species is found commonly in Assam

Of the seven parts of the park one part is wet land and the rest is mainly grassland and dense forest. The main attractions of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park are its semi-wild horse and White winged Wood- Duck. Other animals are Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Slow Loris, Indian wild water Buffalo, Capped Langur, Gangetic River Dolphin, Indian Wild Dog etc.
More than 250 varieties of local and migratory birds are also found in this Park.
The best season to visit is from November to March.
Nameri National Park
Situated at the foot hills of eastern Himalayas, Nameri National Park covers an area of about 200 sq. km. Hills, deciduous forests and the river Jia Bhoroli have all added a unique charm to it.
It is about 35 km. from Tezpur town which is 181 km. from Guwahati.The nearest airport is Salonibari(Tezpur).

Atlas Moth with a wing span of more than 10 inches has been spotted at Nameri National Park

Many wildlife species are found here such as the Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Indian Bison, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Pangolin, Indian Wild Dog, Civet Cat, Capped Langur etc.
Nameri is a haven for bird watchers which include the most endangered White Winged Wood duck, four species of Hornbill in abundance, the small and beautiful Scarlet Minivet, to name a few. Many species of reptiles are also found in this National Park. It is an entomologist's paradise. A huge variety of different butterflies and moths are found here. Atlas Moth with a wing span of more than 10 inches has also been spotted here.
The best season to visit is from October to April.

A very rare and endangered species found in Assam. Was nearly extinct at one time but has healthy population now.

Orang (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park
It is a miniature Kaziranga covering an area of 78.81 sq. kms. and is situated in the Darrang District of Assam. Sixty percent of the sanctuary is grassland. The animals seen in this sanctuary are the One-horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Tiger, varieties of water birds, Green Pigeon, Florican, Teal , Goose, etc.

Most endangered bird found in Assam's sanctuaries. Out of a total world population of 250, about 200 adjutant storks are found in Assam.

Various species of birds such as the Pelican, Cormorant, Greylag Goose, Large Whistling TeaGreat Adjutant Stork, King Vulture etc. have also found this sanctuary to be their ideal habitat. Orang is 150 kms from Guwahati and 31 kms from Tezpur. The nearest railhead is Rongapara and the nearest airport is Salonibari(Tezpur). Both Govt. & Private buses ply regularly from Guwahati. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Situated in the Morigaon district, Pobitora is one of the major wildlife sanctuaries of Assam. It is about 60 km. from Guwahati City, situated on the border of Nagaon and Kamrup Dist.
Covering an area of 38.8 Sq. km., Pobitora is mainly famous for its Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. Other animals such as the Asiatic Buffalo, Leopard, Wild Bear, Civet Cat etc. are also found here. More than 200 birds and various reptiles are found in this sanctuary. The best season to visit is from November to March.

Is an endemic species found commonly in the forests in Assam

Bura-Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Another magnificent wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 44.06 sq. kms. is Bura-Chapori. It is situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra in Sonitpur District.It is considered to be an ideal habitat for the Bengal Florican.Various species of migratory birds are also seen here.Other attractions are the Great Indian One horned Rhinocerous, Asiatic Buffalo, Wild Boar, Otter, Civet Cat, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, etc. Various reptiles and fish are also found here. Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering an area of 70.13 sq. kms Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Nagaon Dist. and is only 25 kms from Nagaon town. Its main attraction is the Great Indian one horned Rhinocerous. Other animals found here are Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Asiatic Buffalo, Wild Boar, Civet Cat, Leopard Cat, Hog Deer etc. Various species of birds and reptiles are also found in Laokhowa.

The sanctuaries in Assam are home to many different species of deer.