Assam: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary sees surge in tourists, revenue; earns INR 62 lakh this season

Edited and posted by Al Ngullie
May 28,2025 12:14 PM

The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district has recorded a significant rise in tourist footfall and revenue during the ongoing 2024–25 tourist season.

Pobitora (Assam) [India], May 28 (HBTV): The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district has recorded a significant rise in tourist footfall and revenue during the ongoing 2024–25 tourist season. Known for having the highest density of one-horned rhinoceroses in the country, the sanctuary has collected INR 62 lakh in revenue so far this season.

According to officials, nearly 35,000 tourists, including 650 foreign visitors, have visited the sanctuary since the start of the tourist season on October 15, 2024. The season will conclude on May 31.

‘This tourist season started from 15 October 2024, and it will end on May 31 this year. We have so far collected INR 62 lakh as revenue. Compared to the previous year, 5,000 more tourists have visited the wildlife sanctuary this year,’ said Pranjal Baruah, Ranger of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Last year, around 30,000 tourists had visited the sanctuary, generating revenue of INR 54 lakh. Officials credited the improved numbers to ongoing infrastructure development efforts, including road repairs within the sanctuary.

Meanwhile, in a separate conservation effort, Aaranyak, a prominent wildlife NGO, is leading a major plantation initiative in Assam aimed at mitigating human-elephant conflict by restoring degraded habitats and providing elephants with natural food sources.

With support from the SBI Foundation, Aaranyak is collaborating with the Dhansiri-Sikaridanga Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) to implement the project in Bhairabkunda Reserve Forest, located along the Indo-Bhutan border in Assam’s Udalguri district. The goal is to restore 100 hectares of degraded forest by planting one lakh saplings of native species to enhance ecological connectivity and reduce human-elephant conflict.

Now in its third year, the plantation drive has seen active participation from forest officials, FXB India Suraksha, the Bhairabkunda Development Committee, and local JFMC members. On the first day of this year’s drive, 510 saplings from 11 native species were planted, including Outenga, Bel, Kola Siris, Gamari, Bhatgila, Amla, Jamun, Bhomora, Xilikha, Bhelkor, Kum, Odal, and Tora.