Explore Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam—its location, biodiversity, key species and conservation challenges, important for APSC ( Prelims & Mains ).
MARAT LONGRI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
- The Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam, represents a crucial hill-forest ecosystem within Northeast India.
- Formally notified in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, this protected area spans 451 square kilometers of undulating terrain on the Karbi Plateau.
- Serving as an integral component of the larger Dhansiri-Lumding Elephant Reserve landscape, the sanctuary presents a complex interplay of high biodiversity, indigenous community dependencies, and persistent conservation challenges typical of the region’s autonomous hill districts.
- Marat Longri WLS includes four reserve forests: Disama, Kaki (Karbi Anglong part), Inglongkiri and Miyungdisa.
Legal Status, Administration & Governance
- Location: Situated in the Karbi Plateau at 25.793° N, 93.021° E, with elevations ranging from 100-500 m.
- Boundaries: Bordered by a National Highway in the north, Diphu-Lumding Road in the south, and adjacent to Lumding Reserve Forest in the west.
- Climate: Tropical monsoon climate with hot, wet summers (May-Oct) and cool, dry winters (Nov-Feb).
- Temperature & Rainfall: Temperatures vary from 10°C to 35°C; annual rainfall is about 1,500-2,000 mm, lower than much of Assam due to a localized rain-shadow effect.
- Hydrology: Drained by streams and tributaries of the Dhansiri River basin, including the Kopili, Diyung, Kalang, and Kakijan rivers.
Floral Profile & Vegetation
- Forest Types: Dominated by Tropical Semi-evergreen and Tropical Moist Deciduous forests.
- Vegetation: Rich in large trees, climbers, bamboo, and epiphytic orchids.
- Plant Diversity: Home to 91 species of wild edible plants belonging to 79 genera and 45 families, including two fern species.
- Dominant Families: Araceae, Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, and Rutaceae are the most represented plant families.
Faunal Diversity
- Major Mammals: Asian Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Leopard, Gaur, and Chinese Pangolin.
- Primates: 7 species, including the Endangered Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, Slow Loris, and several macaque species.
- Other Mammals: Binturong, Himalayan Black Bear, Dhole, Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat, Sambar, Hog Deer, Barking Deer, and Serow.
- Birds: A Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) with 240+ bird species, including the White-winged Wood Duck and Great Pied Hornbill.
- Reptiles: Keeled Box Turtle, Brown Hill Tortoise, Rock Python, King Cobra, Banded Krait, and Monitor Lizards.
Threats & Human Dimensions
- Forest Loss: Over 40% forest cover lost (1976–2015).
- Major Threats: Jhum cultivation, illegal logging, encroachment, and resource extraction.
- Habitat Impact: Forest degradation and disruption of elephant corridors.
- Poaching: Hunting of primates and other wildlife persists.
- Local Communities: Mainly Karbi, Dimasa, and Hmar tribes.
- Forest Dependence: Reliance on forests for food, fuel, medicine, and livelihoods.
- Human-Elephant Conflict: Frequent crop raiding by elephants.
- Conservation Efforts: Afforestation, agroforestry, and ecotourism initiatives.
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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