Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Overview - Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Dibru Saikhowa national park is known for its large variety of floral and faunal diversity. It lies inside one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots of the world, i.e. Indo-Burma, It also forms one of the 18 biosphere reserves of India.
It is the third-largest National park in Assam bordered by Brahmaputra river in the north and Dibru river in the south. The National Park consists of the flat alluvial floodplain of river Brahmaputra and Lohit at 118 m above M.S.L composed of a wide range of habitats changing from semi-wet evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, swamps, marshes and grassland vegetation.
The park was protected initially to conserve the habitat for white-winged wood duck, was declared a national park in 1999 restricting its core area to 350 sq.km and a large buffer area.
Flora and Fauna of the National Park
Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve is a rich habitat for a wide range of wild animals and birds. Data shows that there are 36 species of mammals, 43 species of reptiles, 104 species of fishes, 105 species of butterflies, two species of monitor lizards, eight species of turtles, eight species of Snakes, and about 502 species of birds.
Of the 502 Species of birds, at least 24 species are Near-threatened including white-winged Duck, Baer’s Pochard, Pale-capped Pigeon, Spotted Greenshank, Slender-billed Vulture, White-backed Vulture, White-bellied Heron, Greater adjutant-Stork, Sarus Crane, Bengal Florican and Black-breasted Parrotbill.
There are 680 Plant species found in the park of which the 43 species of Orchids (35 Epiphytic and 8 terrestrial) are valuable natural resources.
Best Time to Visit Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Annual Rainfall – 2300 mm – 3800 mm
Temperature ranging from 6 – 36 degree with a subtropical moist climate.
Best time to visit the park is during winters from October – March.
Highlight Species - Dibru Saikhowa National Park
- Swamp Francolin
- Grey headed Fishing Eagle
- Crested Serpent Eagle
- Bengal Florican
- Spotted Owlet
- Pied Kingfisher
- Lesser Golden backed Woodpecker
- Griffon Vulture
- White winged Wood Duck
- Grey Heron
- Purple Heron
- Night Heron
- Water Cock
- Lesser Adjutant Stork
- Bar headed Goose
- Great Crested Grebe
- Yellow Bittern
- White Winged Pochard
- Spot billed Pelican
- Black Stork
- Greater Whistling duck
- Greater Hornbill
- Black Breasted Parrot-bill
- Blyth’s Kingfisher
Types of Safaris - Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Boat Safaris : Guijan ghat and Saikhowa ghat are the two entrances 10 km and 50 km respectively from the Tinsukia town. You can hire a boat once you reach any of the two entrances for approximately Rs 500 for an hour which will take you to different spots for wildlife viewing.
How to reach Dibru Saikhowa National Park
By Air : Nearest Airport (Mohanbari or Dibrugarh) is about 49 km from the park and is well connected to major cities of the country.
By Train : Dibrugarh railway station is located in the heart of the city with easy availability of auto rickshaws or Taxis.
By Road : Road travel through public transport like buses can be avoided due to the poor maintenance of the roads.
