Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Possessing phenomenal natural wealth of wildlife and forest, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is one of the largest Salix swamp forest of north-east India. Situated in Tinsukia district of Assam, this National Park is part of the Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity hot spot. Sprawling over an area of 340 sq. km, this National Park is situated at a distance of 12 km from the main town of Tinsukia and is famous for Feral Horses and the White Winged Wood Duck. It is positioned in the flood plains of the mighty river Brahmaputra and Lohit, at an altitude of 118 m above sea level and lies between 27°30' N to 27°45' N latitude and 95°10' E to 95°45'E longitude. Enclosed by moist mixed deciduous forest, semi-evergreen forest, grassland and canebrakes, this national park is the home to several wild animals, reptiles and avian species, which are rare, endangered and migratory.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park features tropical monsoon climate with hot and wet summer and cool and exceptionally dry winters. It receives an annual rainfall, which ranges from 2300 mm to 3800 mm and the monsoon starts from the month of June and lasts until September. The park was principally built for the conservation of White winged wood duck in its natural habitat, but with time, it has turned into a haven for some of the rare and endangered species of mammalians, avifauna and reptiles. The National Park is having about 35.84% moist mixed forests, 9.50% degraded forest and 21.25% grassland. Major types of grasses in the National Park are Arundo donax, Imperata cylindrica, Phragmaties karka and Erianthus ravanea.

In the year 1890 the area was declared Dibru Reserved Forest and in the year 1920, more area was added to this forest reserve. In the year 1995, it was 340 sq km out of 650 sq km was recognized as Wildlife Sanctuary and in the year 1997 it was recognized as Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve with and area of 765 sq km, which also comprised of 340 sq km of Sanctuary area. Finally, in the year 1999, the area covered by the Wildlife Sanctuary was recognized as National Park.

This National Park is an abode of 36 species of mammals, namely, Royal Bengal Tiger, Small Indian Civet, Asiatic Elephant, Bears, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Squirrels,  Slow Loris, Assamese Macaque, Hoolock Gibbon, Rhesus Macaque, Gangetic Dolphin, Capped Langur,  Sambar, Wild Pigs, Barking Deer,  Feral Horses, Water Buffalo etc. Night Heron, Greater Adjutant Stork, Great Grebe, Pallas's Fishing Eagle, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Indian Shag, Openbill Stork, Large Whistling Teal, Osprey, Greater Spotted Eagle, White Winged Duck, Common Pintail, Black Stork, Griffon Vulture, Bear's Poachard, Pale Capped Pigon, Greylag Groose, Black Breasted Parrotbill, Bear's Poachard, Great Pied Hornbill, Jardon's Babbler, Yellow Bittern, March Babbler, etc. are some of the avian species found in the park. Besides the mammalian and avifauna, Dibru-Saikhowa is also rich in herpetofauna and is the home to 8 species of snakes, 2 species of Monitor Lizards and 8 species of turtle. Owing to the rich and diverse wildlife of this national park, it is one of the favorite destinations among nature lovers.