Discover Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam’s renowned primate haven, home to the Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, rich birdlife, and tropical evergreen forests. Explore its biodiversity, conservation significance, and unique rainforest ecosystem. Important for APSC ( Prelims & Mains ).
BHERJAN-BORAJAN-PADUMONI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni is a unique, fragmented protected area in Upper Assam, globally recognized for holding the highest primate biomass of any similar forest patch in the Indian subcontinent.
Administrative & Spatial Profile
- Location: Tinsukia district, Assam.
- Composition: Consists of three distinct, non-contiguous forest blocks:
- Bherjan(105 ha)
- Borajan(493 ha)
- Padumoni(176 ha)
- Total Area: Approximately 7.22 sq. km.
- Landscape Context: The blocks are disjunct, separated by expansive tea gardens and human habitations. They lie on the flat plains of the Brahmaputra Valley, within the “Assam Plains” Endemic Bird Area (EBA).
Forest Ecology & Vegetation
Soil Profile
- Older Brahmaputra alluvial soil; compact brown soil ideal for tea cultivation, leading to encroachment.
Forest Type
- Tropical Wet Evergreen Rainforest.
Block-Wise Vegetation Status
- Bherjan: Dense mixed plantation with Lagerstroemia parviflora and Terminalia myriocarpa dominance.
- Borajan: Best-preserved rainforest patch, dominated by Dipterocarpus macrocarpus (Hollong).
- Padumoni: Degraded forest with broken canopy; few mature Artocarpus, Bombax, and Mesua trees remain.
Floral Features
- Rich bamboo growth and edible fern (Stenochleanapalustris).
- Small marshes support swamp grasses and Alpinia herbs.
Primate Diversity Hub
The sanctuary is a critical refuge for seven primate species, making it an unparalleled site for primatology research:
- Hoolock Gibbon (India’s only ape)
- Capped Langur (IUCN: Vulnerable)
- Stump-tailed Macaque (IUCN: Vulnerable)
- Assamese Macaque (IUCN: Near Threatened)
- Pig-tailed Macaque
- Slow Loris (Nocturnal)
- Rhesus Macaque
Other Biodiversity Highlights
- Mammals: Includes the Chinese Pangolin, Leopard, Wild Pig, and Giant Flying Squirrel.
- Avifauna: Over 84 recorded species, serving as a haven for woodland birds including the Indian Pied Hornbill, Osprey, Kingfisher, Lineated Barbet, Drongo, Bulbul, Magpie Robin, and various woodpeckers.
Conservation Status & Challenges
- Fragmentation: The primary conservation challenge is the extreme isolation of the three blocks, which restricts gene flow and movement for arboreal species.
- Fringe Pressure: The “island” nature of these forests means the entire boundary is vulnerable to pressure from surrounding tea estate activities, grazing, and resource harvesting.
- Importance: Despite its small size, it acts as a high-density “living laboratory” for studying the survival of primates in human-dominated landscapes.
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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