The Poba Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dhemaji district will soon be notified as a wildlife sanctuary, a major boost to conservation efforts in the state.

Assam as on day has 17 wildlife sanctuaries and two “preliminary notified” wildlife sanctuaries and seven national parks.

Environment and forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary made the announcement in the state Assembly on Friday in response to a zero-hour notice by MLA Bhuban Pegu.

The new Poba Wildlife Sanctuary will encompass an area of 257.29 sqkm, including the Poba Reserve Forest, Kabu Chapri Proposed Reserve Forest, and the surrounding riverine areas.

Assam chief minister posted on X, “Adding another green milestone. Glad to share that we will soon be notifying Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji as a Wildlife Sanctuary. The over 10,000 hectares large park, it contains a wide variety of flora and fauna and is a biodiversity hotspot in itself.”

The Poba Reserve Forest is a biodiverse rainforest known for its rich wildlife besides serving as an essential migratory route for various animals, particularly elephants, as it connects the D’ Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary, Kabu Chapri Proposed Reserve Forest, and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.

This corridor is the second significant elephant migration route from the north to the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, the other being Panpur-Kaziranga route.

Herds of approximately 70-80 elephants migrate across the river at various times, while male elephants utilize these routes almost throughout the year.

The Poba Reserve Forest is also home to various arboreal species, including the slow loris and capped langur. The most common mammal species is the wild boar.

The forest is also a habitat for about 45 species of birds and reptiles, and the confluence of Siang and Lohit rivers supports a diverse range of fish species.

Additionally, the forest is renowned for its variety of orchids, making it an attractive destination for nature enthusiasts and researchers alike.