When people talk about Assam, lush green tea fields come to mind. Often known as the land of red rivers and blue hills or as the mystical queen of the Northeast, this state in India is a huge tourist magnet. The beautiful silk bazaars and holy pilgrimage sites are the must-visit destinations of the state. The economy in Assam is mostly sustained by the numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Two national parks here are declared as UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you are planning a visit to this rich biodiversity zone, check out our list of the best bird sanctuaries in Assam.
1. Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary is a large breeding ground for the rare whistling teal. Here you can see 181 species of birds, including the beautiful black-headed oriole, purple moorhen and the pheasant-tailed jacana. Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary is also home to over 42 species of fish and beautiful aquatic flowers. It is a great site for watching birds and having a relaxed outing near the Subansiri River.
Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
Address: Aduttengakulatalia N.C, Assam 787026
Website: Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
2. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has been attracting a massive flow of tourists since the beginning of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020, a program for protection and breeding of rhinos. Here, you can see more than 80 rhinos. You can take an elephant safari in the forest to watch the beautiful birds and animals in the woods. The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is home to over 375 species of birds, some of which are rare migratory birds. You can also see a large variety of fishes in the lake.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Pobitora Forest Range Office Road, Pabitara, Assam 782411
Website: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Opening hours: 6:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Indian: 50 INR (0.66 USD); Foreigners: 500 INR (6.6 USD)
3. Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary
Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary is biodiverse, as it houses over 267 species of birds. Bird watchers often flock here to see the 70 rare migratory species spotted only during certain seasons. Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary is home to the red-crested pochard, gadwall, wigeon, ferruginous duck, garganey, shoveller, and the rare griffon vulture. One can also spot various species of geese like the greylag goose and bar-headed goose. Currently, the Department of Environment & Forests, Assam is looking after the management and protection of the birds being poached here.
Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary
Address: Sivasagar district, Assam, India
Website: Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary
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4. Satajaan Bird Sanctuary
Satajaan Bird Sanctuary is a wetland located in the Lakhimpur district. The sanctuary is home to numerous bird species that are declared near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is an excellent place for field trips and sees many students and professors visiting to watch and learn about new birds. The sanctuary has both local and migratory bird species.
Satajaan Bird Sanctuary
Address: Pohumara, Assam 787031
5. Nameri National Park
Nameri National Park is a part of the beautiful Eastern Himalayas. The region is filled with dense and moist deciduous forests. The woods look spectacular with cane and bamboo brakes. The area is further beautified by lush green grasslands and a serene flowing river. Nameri National Park is a heaven for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Today, the park sees 300 species of birds, about 10 times more than domestic cattle and rare wild animals like the hog deer, sambar, wild boar, and gaur. The most noteworthy birds in the park include the long-billed ring plover, hill Myna, pin tailed green pigeon, wreathed hornbill, and the rufous necked hornbill.
Nameri National Park
Address: Sonitpur, Guwahati, Assam 784001
Website: Nameri National Park
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun)
6. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park has a rich biodiversity that attracts a large number of tourists. The national park is built on a river island in the Tinsukia region of Assam. Some of the most colourful and rare birds can be spotted here. These include the swamp Partridge, Jerdon’s babbler, white-winged wood duck, Bengal florican,black-breasted parrotbill, Pallas’s fish eagle, and the yellow weaver. Tourists can also go trekking in the dense woods. The park also offers a relaxed boating facility.
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Address: Laika Gaon, Assam 786150
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
7. Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is a well-known reserve forest-turned-sanctuary located in Dhubri and Kokrajhar district of the state of Assam. Here, the endangered species of the golden langue is preserved. Bird watchers can take delight in this sanctuary where you can spot over 273 species of birds. The shelter also has 14 reptile species and 11 species of amphibians. The region is further beautified by two lakes in the sanctuary where tourists can relax and spot over 60 fish species.
Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Chakrashila Hill, Assam 783325
Opening hours: Open 24 hours (daily)
8. Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary is the first part of the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary. Built on lush green grasslands, the sanctuary is famous for the endangered species of the Bengal florican and one-horned rhinoceros. Here you can spot a large number of migratory birds, especially the wintering ferruginous ducks. The Brahmaputra River flows through the Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, taking the region’s tranquillity to a whole new level.
Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: Sonitpur, Assam 784102
Price: 70 INR (0.93 USD)
9. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Darrang district of Assam. It is famous for the hispid gare and pigmy hog. Here, tourists can see beautiful birds like the Bengal florican and the swamp partridge. Local birds like peafowl and hornbill can also be seen here. Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to a large number of mammals like the Indian civet, Chinese pangolin, Himalayan black bear and the porcupine. The sanctuary is a great spot for watching a wide variety of birds and animals living together in harmony.
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
Address: No.4 Barangajuli, Assam 784527
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 5am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
10. Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is home to the rare, endangered apes in India like the hoolock and the Bengal slow loris. Here, you can also find the eastern Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, stump-tailed macaque, northern pig-tailed macaque, and capped langur. The sanctuary is home to three species of civets and houses various mammals, too. It is a beautiful location with a large variety of colourful flowers sprawling across the grasslands.
Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Address: Mariani, Jorhat, Assam 785635
Price: Locals: 50 INR (0.66 USD); Foreigners: 500 INR (6.6 USD)
Beautiful birds in serene nature
These sanctuaries in Assam have a rich biodiversity. Tourists can relax in the lush green grasslands and trek in the dense woods. Hundreds of local and migratory birds flock here year after year, making the sanctuary a popular spot amongst bird watchers. These sanctuaries provide a perfect atmosphere for relaxation outside the hustle and bustle of the city.