Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a national park located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district of Assam and is a very important biosphere reserve for wildlife species. The Dibru Saikhowa National Park is comprises of the protected wildlife of Dibru and Saikhowa. Both these two wildlife protected areas were made together and formed Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Dibru Saikhowa National Park has an average elevation of ranging from 110 to 126 meter (361 to 413 feet). Dibru Saikhowa National Park is bounded by River Brahmaputra and Lohit in the north and River Dibru in the south. The natural vegetation of Dibru Saikhowa National Park consists of moist mixed semi evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous forest, canebrakes and grasslands. Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a safe haven for extremely rare and endangered species of wildlife.
Conservation and History of Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
In the year 1890 the forest area was declared as Dibru Reserve Forest. Again in 1920 additional area was added to Dibru Reserve Forest. In 1929 Saikhowa Reserve Forest was declared. Again in 1933 more area was added to Dibru Reserve Forest. In 1986 an area of 650 sq. km was proposed as a wildlife sanctuary, out of which 340 sq. km was declared as wildlife sanctuary in 1995. In the year 1997 the forest was declared as Dibru Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve with an area of 765 sq. km which also include 340 sq. km of the sanctuary as core area and 425 sq. km as buffer zone. And in 1999 the 340 sq. km of the core area was declared as Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
Wetlands Ecosystems of Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Dibru Saikhowa National Park is characterized by its diverse wetland ecosystems, including swamps, marshes, and riverine areas. These wetlands provide essential habitats for aquatic species, water fowl and other wildlife. Dibru Saikhowa National Park is home to the largest salix swamp forest (a significant wetland habitat) in north-eastern India. Maguri Beel (or Maguri Motapung Beel) is a large wetland located at 26 km from Dibru Saikhowa National which is a crucial habitat for various bird species including migratory birds.
Flora of Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Dibru Saikhowa National Park boasts a diverse flora including semi-evergreen, deciduous, littoral, and swamp forests, as well as patches of wet evergreen forests. The national park is about 35.84% moist mixed forest, 9.50% degraded forest and 21.25% grassland. Some of the notable floras found in Dibru Saikhowa National Park are Elephant Apple, Bishop Wood, Cotton Tree, Crape Myrtle, East Indian Almond, Cobra Saffron, Shisham, Fig Trees and others. Apart from that 35 species of Epiphytic Orchids and 08 species of Terrestrial Orchids are also recorded in Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
Fauna of Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Dibru Saikhowa National Park is renowned for its diverse species of fauna including numerous mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibian species. 36 mammal species have been recorded in Dibru Saikhowa National Park, out of which 12 are listed in schedule I of Wildlife (Protection) ACT 1972. Dibru Saikhowa National Park was originally created to conserve the habitat of the rare White Winged Wood Duck. But Dibru Saikhowa National Park is also home to Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Indian Wild Dog, Indian Civet, Slot Bear, Chinese Pangolin, Hoolock Gibbon, Sambar, Hog Deer, Macaque, Capped Langur, Barking Deer, Asian Elephant and others.
Dibru – Saikhowa National Park is also home to rare creatures like Water Buffalo and Feral Horses.
Feral Horses are the decedents of the horses which were left here by the British Soldiers during World War II. These Feral Horses are also referred to as Wild Horse. Two species of Monitor Lizard, Eight Turtle Species and eight Snake species are also recorded in Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
Birding in Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a paradise for bird watchers. Over 500 species of birds have been documented in Dibru Saikhowa National Park. These bird species are both native and migratory birds those are spotted in Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Notable species found in Dibru Saikhowa National Park include Jerdon’s Babbler, Black-breasted Parrot Bill, Marsh Babbler, Swamp Prinia, White – Winged Duck, Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant Stork, Vultures, Pheasants, Hornbills, Ferruginous Pochard, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Himalayan Griffon and many others.
Tourism Activities in Dibru Saikhowa National Park:
Dibru Saikhowa National Park offers a wide range of tourism activities. Being a national park, Dibru Saikhowa attracts numerous visitors throughout the year.
The most popular tourism activity at Dibru Saikhowa National Park is wildlife viewing. Tourists can spot numerous species of wildlife inside the national park.
The second most popular tourism activity is bird watching. As Dibru Saikhowa National Park is abundant in wide species of birds, hence it is an ideal spot for bird watchers.
Boat safari in Dibru Saikhowa National Park is another popular tourist activity through which tourists can explore the waterways of the national park and get close sight of the wildlife along with water birds. During boat safari tourists can also spot Gangetic Dolphins in Brahmaputra River.
Boating in Maguri Beel also offers tourists with the opportunity to spot various bird species including some rare ones.
Tourists can visit the nearby tribal villages of Dibru Saikhowa National Park and meet the local tribal people and get deep insight of their culture, customs and day to day activities. Two most noteworthy villages are Laika and Dodhia, which are home to tribes like Mishing, Muttock, Moran and Sonowal.
Nature treks are also one of the popular activities at Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Through nature trek tourists can explore the dense wilderness and interior of the national park and experience the wildlife ambiance all around. But tourists are advised to take an experience guide along with them.
Kekjori Trees inside Dibru Saikhowa National Park is another tourist spot that attracts numerous tourists throughout the year. Located at the heart of the national park, these trees are more than hundred years old and its branches cover a large span of area and gives shelter to numerous wildlife species.
Churkey Sapori is the area in Dibru Saikhowa National Park where the main populations of Feral Horses are found in abundance.
How to Reach:
By Air: Mohanbari (Dibrugarh Airport) is the nearest airport to Dibru Saikhowa National Park located at 49 km away. Dibrugarh Airport is well connected by flights with Kolkata, Delhi and Guwahati. From Dibrugarh Airport by hired vehicles tourists can reach Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Apart from that one can also avail flight service upto Guwahati and from there at a distance of about 528 km away is Dibru Saikhowa National Park. Tourists can also opt to avail flight service from Guwahati Airport upto Dibrugarh Airport and from there by hired vehicle upto Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
By Train: Tinsukia Raiway Station is the nearest rail head to Dibru Saikhowa National Park located at 10 km from Guijan entry point and 50 km from the Dhola entry point. These are the two entry points to enter Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
Another rail head is at Dibrugarh located at 70 km away from Dibru Saikhowa National Park and is well connected with good railway networks with major Indian cities. Both from Tinsukia and Dibrugarh Railway Station tourists will get local vehicles to reach Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
By Road: Dibru Saikhowa National Park is well connected with good motor-able roads with the above mentioned airports and railway stations. Tourists will get vehicles on hire or buses also to reach Dibru Saikhowa National Park. The driving distance from different places may vary from 45 minutes to 02 hours.
Best time to visit: Dibru Saikhowa National Park is best visited from November to April. This period offers pleasant weather, making it ideal for wildlife spotting and outdoor activities. During this time, the park also experiences the arrival of migratory birds, which is a major attraction.
Dibru Saikhowa NP Hotels