Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

A mahout from Darrang district met a grisly end at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary after a wild elephant trampled him to death.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:

•  Location: It is located on the southern bank of the river Brahmaputra in Morigaon district, adjacent to Guwahati in Assam.
•  It was declared a reserve forest in 1971 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1987.
•  It is home to the highest population density of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros species (around 102 rhinos in an area of 38.8 sq. km).
•  Landscape: It is dominated by alluvial lowlands and marshland.
•  The Brahmaputra River offers a natural boundary to the premises of the sanctuary on the north, while the Garanga Beel offers a natural boundary to its south.
•  Flora:

•72% of Pobitora consists of the wet savannah of Arundo donax, Erianthus ravennae, Phragmites karka, Imperata cylindrica, and Saccharum spp.

• Water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) is a major problem, especially to waterfowl, as it forms thick mats on the water surface.

•  Fauna

• Besides rhinoceros, the other animals are leopards, wild boar, Barking deer, wild buffalo, etc.

•It is also home to more than 375 species of resident and migratory birds, such as the Indian pied Hornbill, Osprey, Hill Myna, Kalij Pheasant, etc..

UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2010

Ques : Consider the following statements :

1. The boundaries of a National Park are defined by legislation.

2. A Biosphere Reserve is declared to conserve a few specific species of flora and fauna.

3. In a Wildlife Sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a)   1 only

b)  2 and 3 only

c)   1 and 3 only

d)  1, 2 and 3

Ans: c)