Daily News Analysis ‘Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary’ : 1 December

Why in News?

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary reopened for the 2025-26 tourist season.

Location 

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Morigaon district of Assam.
• It lies in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River.
• The sanctuary covers an area of about 38.8 square kilometres.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1987.

Ecological Importance

• Pobitora has the highest density of one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in the world.
• The sanctuary consists mainly of wet grasslands, marshes, and small hills.
• It forms part of the Brahmaputra valley ecosystem.
• Seasonal flooding helps in maintaining the grassland habitat.

Flora and Fauna

• • • The flagship species is the one-horned Indian rhinoceros.
    • Other animals found here include wild buffalo, leopard, wild boar, and barking deer.
    • It is an important bird habitat with more than 200 species of birds.
    • Migratory birds visit the sanctuary during the winter season.
    • Dominant vegetation includes elephant grass and aquatic plants.