Dolphins are seen everywhere in the Dibru river in the Dibru Saikhowa National Park in Tinsukia district of Upper Assam these days.

The rare aquatic animals are frequently seen swimming effortlessly after years which, many say, is the healing impact of the nationwide lockdown to prevent the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

“Wild buffaloes are taking a dip in the Dibru near the Maguri-Motapung Beel,” adviser to the Guijan unit of the All Assam Students’ Union, Niranjan Dutta, wrote on his Facebook account, posting videos and photographs of mammals and birds.

In the short video, a pair of whistling dolphins are seen swimming in the turbid water of the river, seemingly enjoying the rain that is continuing for the last few days.

The post got good response and was liked by many.

Another Facebook user posted a photo of a lake surrounded by greenery. The user wrote: “Nature is healing.”

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

It was designated a biosphere reserve in July 1997, has a core area and a buffer zone. It is around 12km from Tinsukia town.

The park is surrounded by the Brahmaputra and the Lohit rivers in the north and the Dibru in the south.

In the park, 36 species of mammals have been found of which 12, including dolphins, are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

It is home to tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, jungle cats, sloth bears, small Indian civets and many other animals.

“The lockdown has a good impact on the flora and fauna of the Dibru Saikhowa National Park. It is sheer bliss for the animals. The air is so refreshing. Perhaps, they have sensed all that,” an official of the Tinsukia wildlife sanctuary said.