Explore Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam—its unique riverine ecosystem, feral horses, rich biodiversity, national park status, conservation challenges, and ecological significance. Important for APSC (Prelims & Mains).
DIBRU-SAIKHOWA NATIONAL PARK
Dibru-Saikhowa is a unique, river-bound island ecosystem situated in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India. It stands as a vital trans-boundary avian hub and hosts highly specialized swamp and wetland habitats.
Administrative & Geographical Location
- Districts: Located across the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts in the northeastern corner of Assam.
- Proximity: Positioned about 12 to 18 km north of Tinsukia town and 50 km from Dibrugarh airport.
- Topography: An island-like flat floodplain terrain lying at an average elevation of 118 meters above sea level.
River Boundaries & Hydrology
- Northern Boundary: Defined by the confluence of the Brahmaputra River and the Lohit River.
- Southern Boundary: Formed by the Dibru River.
- Ecosystem Nature: The entire national park is a river-bound flood refuge prone to recurring annual flash floods from the Brahmaputra system.
Statutory Timeline & Status
- 1890: Formally notified as the Dibru Reserved Forest.
- 1929: Saikhowa Reserved Forest was declared.
- 1995: Upgraded and notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary (340 sq.km)
- July 1997: Designated as the Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (765 sq. km)
- 1999: Core zone (340 sq.km)officially declared a National Park.
- Global Tag: Identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
Climate & Flora
- Climate: Tropical monsoon climate featuring hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters. Annual rainfall ranges from 2,300 to 3,800 mm.
- Forest Types: Composed of semi-wet evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, canebrakes, and extensive alluvial grasslands.
- Salix Swamp: Features the largest Salix (willow) swamp forest in Northeastern India.
- Key Tree Species: Dilleniaindica (Elephant Apple), Bischofiajavanica, Bombax ceiba (Simalu), Lagerstroemia parviflora, and Dalbergia sissoo.
Dilleniaindica (Elephant Apple)
Bischofiajavanica, Bombax ceiba (Simalu) Dilleniaindica (Elephant Apple)
Fauna & Signature Flagship Species
- Flagship: White-winged Wood Duck (Assam’s State Bird).
- Unique Feature: Rare population of ~200 Feral Horses.
- Key Mammals: Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalo, Leopard, Pangolin.
- Primates: Hoolock Gibbon, Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque.
- Aquatic Species: Gangetic River Dolphin.
- Birdlife: 382+ species, including Bengal Florican and Adjutant Storks.
Environmental Threats & Legal Flashpoints in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
- Invasive Alien Species: Chromolaenaodorata, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Mikania micrantha are actively choking native grasslands.
- Woody Invasion: Native trees like Bombax ceiba (Simalu) and Lagerstroemia speciosa (Ajar) are aggressively invading open grasslands, converting them into degraded shrublands and disrupting habitats for Hog Deer and Bengal Florican.
- Anthropogenic Pressures: Siltation from recurring floods, cattle grazing, resources extraction by forest villages, and habitat fragmentation.
- Judicial Intervention (December 2020): The Gauhati High Court issued a stay order on permissions granted to Oil India Limited (OIL) for hydrocarbon exploration at seven locations inside this protected area boundary.
About Lucent IAS
Lucent IAS is a premier coaching institute in Guwahati, dedicated to empowering APSC aspirants with a result-oriented approach. Recognized as a top destination for APSC Coaching, we offer comprehensive guidance ranging from Foundation Courses and Advanced Mains preparation to our signature Assam-Centric study modules. With expert faculty, small batch sizes for personalized mentoring, and the acclaimed Saadhana Test Series, Lucent IAS is committed to helping you crack the Civil Services Examination.
Publications From LUCENT IAS
- “The Assam Odyssey: The Complete Assam Centric Resource useful for APSC CCE and various other Departmental Examinations. Read More
- InExam PYQ Explained.Read More
- Mains Tattva: The Craft of Answer Writing (GS Paper PYQs). Read More
- Maanchitra – An Illustrative Colour-Coded Informative Map of Assam. Read More
- প্ৰাৰম্ভ (Prarambha). Read More
- অসম ওডিচী – The Assam Odyssey (Assamese Edition). Read More
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