Assam floods engulf Pobitora Sanctuary, threaten rare one-horned rhino habitat

A one-horned rhinoceros in Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: ANI)

The rains came swiftly this June, and with them, the Brahmaputra. In Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, the water has swallowed forests, trails and the very ground the one-horned rhinoceroses roam. Now, forest guards in boats watch nervously as the iconic animals cling to the last patches of dry land.

Sanctuary Overwhelmed as Rivers Rise

More than half of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is underwater. Officials estimate 60 to 80 per cent of the 16 sq km area is submerged. The flooding has come from both the Brahmaputra and the Kopili rivers. Water has entered through connecting channels and low-lying wetlands like Goronga Beel.

Ranger Pranjal Baruah confirmed the scale of the flood. He said water levels surged significantly after June 1. The sanctuary’s 17 anti-poaching camps have taken a severe hit. Ten of them, including Dholi, Pagladova and Amaramul, are now flooded. The Dholi camp alone is nearly 80 per cent underwater.

Rhinos and Elephants Seek Higher Ground

Despite the rising water, the sanctuary’s 107 one-horned rhinos are mostly safe. Many have moved to highlands within the sanctuary. Some remain in grasslands that are still above the waterline. The forest department is keeping a close watch.

Guards are using country boats and mechanised patrols to monitor the animals. Half of Pobitora’s elephants have also been shifted to higher areas. The Burha Mayong region is currently sheltering most of them, with more relocations underway.

Forest Department on Alert

Forest staff are on high alert, braving the waters daily. Patrols continue to prevent poaching and monitor wildlife movement. The department has assured that it is fully prepared for any emergency. “We are ready to tackle any challenge posed by the floods,” said Ranger Baruah.

Pobitora may be small, but it holds national significance. It has the highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses in India. The current flood has raised fears among conservationists. With so many animals concentrated in one place, officials worry about their safety and health.

As Assam’s monsoon intensifies, all eyes are on the sanctuary. The fate of one of India’s rarest animals now depends on the rains—and the people working tirelessly to protect them.