Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

The Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, which is located in the districts of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia, Assam is spread over an area of 650sq km and is located near Assam’s eastern border. It is designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and is known for its rare white-winged wood ducks and wild horses. In 1997, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park was declared India’s ninth biosphere reserve, among the 18 existing biosphere reserves. In 1986, this protected area, formerly called Dibru Reserve Forest and Saikhowa Reserve Forest, was declared a wildlife sanctuary and 13 years later, it was declared a national park, in 1999. It is a rare national park in India that has the titles of biosphere reserve, national park, and wildlife sanctuary.

Geography of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

The Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located between the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers in Assam, at a height of 118 metres above sea level. The grasslands and wetland vegetation of the Brahmaputra floodplains received protection when the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park was established in the year 1999. The annual rainfall of the park ranges from 220 to 380 centimetres. 

Climate of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

The tropical monsoon climate of the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is classified into nine distinct wetland zones, ranging from hot and rainy summers and cold and dry winters. 

• Winter season: The winter season of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park marks the drying of rivers, which lasts from November to April. During this time, thousands of migratory birds flock to the park, and the area is filled with colourful birds across its water reserves. The Maguri Beel, located near the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, is the place where most birds congregate.

• Summer season: The summer season is from May to August, and during this time, the climate becomes hot and humid.

• Monsoon season: The monsoon lasts from June to September, and the mild showers provide relief from the hot summer months in the national park. The park becomes flooded with water from the Dibru and Brahmaputra rivers. The temperature of the park varies from 25 to 32 degrees. The monsoon season coincides with tourist season at Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, when Assam’s orchids begin to blossom. With the monsoon rains, the beautiful flowering orchids meander down the river’s course and add to the brightly coloured flora.

Flora of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is a major biodiversity hotspot in the country, and it contains diverse flora and fauna. A mix of deciduous and evergreen forests as well as swamp forests are majorly found in this national park/biosphere. The national park contains around 35% moist deciduous forest, 21% grassland, and 9% degraded forest. In north-eastern India, it is the largest swamp forest. Dillenia indica, Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia sissoo, and Ficus are some of the major flora present in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. 

Fauna of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

In Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, a total of 36 mammal species have been found. Although the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park was mainly established to protect the rare white-winged wood ducks in their natural environment, it is also notable for its brightly coloured wild horses known as feral horses.  

Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, clouded leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, Malayan giant squirrels, Chinese pangolins, Asian elephants, wild boars, Gangetic dolphins, capped langurs, pig-tailed macaques, Assamese macaques, rhesus macaques, Hoolock gibbons, and Sambar deer are important animal species. Under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, a total of 12 species of the park are listed.

Apart from mammals, the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park contains a few species of reptiles such as the monitor lizard species, turtle species, and snake species. This national park is also a favoured destination for bird lovers. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is called the bird watcher’s paradise, since it has more than 300 species of native and exotic birds. It is also home to a large number of endangered species, including a diverse range of fish.

Recent Developments

In December 2020, the Guwahati High Court postponed permission issued to Oil India Ltd. for hydrocarbon exploration in seven locations which also includes the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.

There was also a gas leak at the Baghjan oil field on 27 May 2020, near the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. This disaster wreaked havoc on the flora and fauna of the park and forced more than 11,000 people to leave their homes.

Conclusion

Dibru-Saikhowa is a national park and biosphere reserve in Assam, India, located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River. Spread over an area of 650sq km, it is one of the world’s most thriving wild places, as well as an area that is known for its pristine natural beauty. As it is located in the Brahmaputra floodplain, it is a safe sanctuary for several unique and endangered wildlife species. From time to time, various levels of government have taken numerous initiatives and today, the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park has been placed on the international map as a major tourism hub and ecological site.