Pobitora, 35 km east of Guwahati, is a small wildlife sanctuary in Assam in India with the highest concentration of the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros in the world. The natural boundary of the sanctuary is the Garanga Beel on the South and the river Brahmaputra on the North. An hour-long drive from Guwahati along the river Brahmaputra, passing through the village of Mayong, is an exhilarating experience for visitors. Because of Pobitora's proximity, to Guwahati one can choose to make a day visit to and from Guwahati one can choose to make a day visit to and from Guwahati and explore the sanctuary on elephant back or stay overnight. It is often referred to as the Kaziranga National Park's showroom. It is ideal for visitors who have little time to spare and cannot visit Kaziranga.
Pobitora was originally a grazing reserve of the erstwhile Nagaon district of Assam in the flood plains of the river Brahmaputra. Pobitora, comprising of the flat flood plains and the hillock of Raja Mating, was thereafter declared a Reserved Forest in 1971 and a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987.
FLORA AND FAUNA
Pobitora comprises of Assam alluvial grasslands with the hilly forest of the Raja Mayong Hill. The riverine composition of the forest with vast stretches of grassland is the ideal habitat for the Indian One-Horned rhino. However, though the total area of the sanctuary comprises of 38.81 square km, only 16 square km of this is suitable for rhino habitat. Pobitora is also home to other animals like the Asiatic buffalo, leopard, wild bear, wild boars, Chinese pangolins, civet cats, etc.
Pobitrota is a bird -watchers paradise, as both migratory and resident birds can be sighted here. A census done in January 2012 states that there are twenty-six species of birds at Pobitora. The Marsh Babbler, an endemic bird species of Assam, has been recorded in this sanctuary.
The Rajamayong Hill, which form the part of this Sanctuary, also harbors various species of animals like leopards, Lesser cats, barking deer, etc. This hill serves as a sheltering ground during the high floods which is common in the area during the monsoons.
SIGHTSEEING IN POBITORA
Tourist can enter the Sanctuary either on elephant back or in Jeep. The morning and evening elephant and jeep rides is the main attraction of the Sanctuary.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
1.The Haduk Hanging Bridge. There is also a picnic spot and a children's park
2.A visit to the Gauranga Beel.
3.Enjoy the rural charm of Mating, famous for its tradition of black magic. Lying adjacent to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is the village of Mating, famous for its tradition of black magic. Remnants of old temple on hillocks surrounding Mayong is an indicator to its tantric or black magic past. The four most important temples in the area are the Kechaikhaiti shrine of Burha Mating, Narashinha Ashram of Hiloikhunda, Ganesh temple of Hatimuria and Shiva shrine of Kachashila. The village houses a community museum showcasing ancient magic literature and relics and also an old rock with undeciphered writings.
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