Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: Mystic Grasslands Of Assam

As flood inundates Assam and the freakish monsoon wreaks havoc, I haplessly marvel in regards to the plight of the locals. Nonetheless, throughout winters, the climate is congenial and there’s no danger of a pure catastrophe in any way. Whereas writing, I hark again to the times after I had an opportunity to discover this stunning Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, reduce throughout by the mighty Brahmaputra river.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary – Residence to Indian Rhinoceros

After touchdown on the Guwahati airport, we took a cab to the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary. It takes round three hours to succeed in the place. The sanctuary is situated on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra within the Morigaon district in Assam. It holds one of many largest Indian Rhinoceros populations in Assam.

Having reached it, we checked into a comfy village resort situated simply on the entrance of the sanctuary. The native vacationers usually come to go to the sanctuary and rush forward to the Kaziranga Nationwide Park on the exact same day. Nonetheless, we determined to take it gradual and spend a few nights there. Not simply the sanctuary, the enjoyment of staying in a village resort surrounded by bushes and mustard fields was too alluring.

Do Learn: Single Horned Rhino at Kaziranga Nationwide Park

Go to to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam

If touring from a special state, it’s advisable to go to the sanctuary on a weekday. It stays overcrowded by the locals over the weekends. By the point we reached the resort, it was afternoon. After consuming a luxurious Assamese thali, I positioned two chairs on the balcony which commanded a splendid view of the attractive garden.

The solar was about to set and I may see some cows and goats gamboling down the dusty street. At night time the place turns into quiet and the crude noises of nature take over. The shrill sound of the hooting of an owl coming, presumably, from some sequestered barn was one thing we don’t get to listen to in metropolis life day by day. I used to be all ears; having fun with the village vibe to the fullest.

The resort has a store, simply on the opposite finish of the slim alley. We considered spending a while there. As we have been about to return out, a employees got here operating, vehemently gesticulating. He stopped and cautioned us in regards to the perils of venturing out at midnight. He knowledgeable us that the Indian water buffalos and the rhinos stray out of the forest at night time. They transfer round within the localities looking for recent inexperienced grasses. The rhino does pose a risk if it fees. However the Indian water buffalos have data of killing many villagers. Nonetheless, he fetched a flashing torch and escorted us to the store, and unlocked it for us.

Do Learn: Nameri Nationwide Park and Tiger Reserve, Assam

Village Stroll from the resort

The following day, we wakened fairly early to discover the environment – the expertise was so enthralling; the recent air, the morning solar, and the huge expanse of the mustard fields have been excellent settings for a village stroll.

Roving about for fairly a while, I used to be a bit performed up. Strolling up a wee bit longer, headed again to the resort to have our breakfast. Later within the afternoon, began for the safari – it being a Monday, the gang was first rate.

We have been fortunate sufficient to get a superb driver. He was totally knowledgeable and I scented a chance to garner fairly a number of details from him. The sanctuary is located on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra river. Largely consisting of grassland and wetland, the habitat is residence to quite a lot of animals and birds.

Indian Rhinos

The sanctuary is open all through the day and shuts at sundown. One should purchase tickets on the spot. No on-line reserving is required. Nonetheless, throughout the touristy season, it’s advisable to e-book the tickets upfront.

To be able to get an in depth glimpse of the Rhino, one can go for the elephant safari. The elephants really stay away from the street and trudge among the many tall grasses, trampling them down below their heavy ft. This permits the vacationers to get an ample probability to observe the Rhinos inside a significantly shut vary.

Though we opted for a jeep safari, we weren’t supplied with an armed information. Which is in any other case offered within the different nationwide parks in Assam. We did really feel a bit edgy because the rhinos have a historical past of attacking the jeeps. In such a state of affairs the guides fireplace within the open air and scare the animals away.

Leaving the thought behind, we centered on the safari. The jeep transferring by way of the rutted path ventured deeper into the forest.

Jeep Safari

Having traveled extensively by way of numerous Nationwide Parks in India we have been fairly conscious of the protocols that one should preserve as soon as contained in the forest. Holding our eyes and ears open we saved trying round looking for animals.

On prime of a tree was perched a crested serpent eagle. It was watchful and maybe considering its subsequent assault. I stealthily tried to pay money for my digital camera. However to my dismay, it bought an inkling and flew away to another tenebrous hiding. Quickly we have been driving previous the attractive grazing land that subsequently narrowed right into a path and led by way of the dense forest.

On the way in which we discovered a herd of noticed deer scampering by. The sanctuary is dotted with a number of water our bodies, the place the animals and birds are seen alike. Some waterbodies are crowded by the Indian water buffalos. Sensing their aggressive nature, the opposite animals, presumably, choose to remain away.

Whereas we have been submerged in such wild ideas, the motive force out of the blue pulled the brakes and the jeep got here to a halt. Sensing some animal had been noticed we appeared forward. There it was – the Indian one-horned rhinoceros with all its glory.

Wildlife

Together with the rhinoceros, it homes different mammals such because the wild boar, Indian water buffalo, barking deer, Indian leopard, and golden jackal. The grasslands present meals and habitat for them.

We have been knowledgeable that some rhinos have been relocated to the Manas Nationwide Park to steadiness out the overwhelming inhabitants at Pobitora. The sanctuary with tall bushes, waterbodies, and grasslands is a feast to the eyes. Having noticed some rhinoceros at a distance we craved some extra sightings.

Because the rhinoceros runs the present there, we wished to see one shut and upfront. As probability would have it, noticed an enormous rhino. It was digging out one thing from the moist mud at a distance. To get a greater view our jeep hurtled on towards its course. Because it was busy with its endeavor, we went on clicking at him. Nonetheless, the motive force maintained a secure distance because the rhinos generally tend to cost at automobiles.

Birds at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary boasts of getting the very best rhinoceros density. It’s also residence to quite a lot of avian species as nicely. We have been overwhelmed to see so many birds. Ranging from the whistling geese to the cormorants, inexperienced pigeons, parakeets, you identify them, they have been aplenty.

Within the night, we rested on the resort. The resort has a hen observatory the place one can sit for hours. Click on footage of varied birds which might be lured with fruits and different edibles saved on the branches of the bushes. We have been fortunate sufficient to identify three hornbills busy nibbling at a bunch of ripe bananas.

That night time it was very chilly. Because it was the final night time in Pobitora, we did the packing and hit the mattress early. It was round midnight when out of the blue there was an eerie noise within the yard. I wakened with a begin; the sound immediately despatched a chill up my backbone. We couldn’t fathom what was taking place. It was inky darkish outdoors the window. We heard a person yelling on the prime of his voice. Attempting to drive away an animal that had wandered away from the forest in the dark. He was additionally pointing a torch at it to scare it away.

Rhino night time visits

The following morning, the proprietor, grinning from ear to ear, knowledgeable us that it was a Rhino that had come to eat the juicy grasses at night time and they’re common guests. Nonetheless, the employees within the resort are on guard. Additionally they have a pair of stray canines which might be on a relentless vigil to maintain the wild animals at bay.

Indian water buffalo runs away when it feels intimidated by the sunshine of the torch. The rhino stays on and finishes the meals and finally strikes away, not giving a rattling in regards to the gentle and sound present that goes on to drive it off.

On that humorous observe, we bade goodbye to the individuals who took excellent care of us throughout our keep. Headed to Kaziranga for an upcoming journey.

It is a visitor publish by Koyela Barman

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Koyela Barman is an English instructor primarily based in Kolkata. Touring is her ardour. Visiting to new locations, assembly new individuals, and studying about their lives have at all times fascinates her. It helps her escape from the humdrum of metropolis life.