Pabitora, Assam, Jan 21: The increasing rhino population in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is forcing the authorities to expand the area to avoid human-animal conflict.
A media team from Sikkim, Tripura and Meghalaya visited the sanctuary on the second day of the PIB-sponsored tour, on Wednesday.
The forest staff conducted a jungle safari inside the sanctuary, which is home to the unique one-horned rhino, several species of birds, including serpent eagles, wild boars and water buffaloes.
Briefing the delegation, Forester Mitul Das said Pabitora earned a name globally for having the highest density of one-horned rhino population in one area.
The rhino population here is 107 as registered on March 22, 2022.
According to the forest staff, there is a plan to expand the area considering the rise in the number.
The expansion of the area can also deter man-animal conflict and discourage poaching and encroachment.
Cases of rhinos moving towards human habitations were also reported.
The forest department has 15 trained elephants to bring back rhinos that stray into human habitations.
From 2014, no major cases of poaching were reported due to the addition of more forest staff and the modernisation of the forest force.
There are currently 24 anti-poaching camps, and the staff strength is 153.
The total area is 38.81sq km.
Besides rhinos, the sanctuary has 345 bird species according to the last census conducted on January 18, 2025.
The total bird population is 1093.
Tourist attraction
Being a tourist attraction, the sanctuary generated a revenue of Rs 41,37,200 as on January 21 this year, which is an increase of Rs 9.22 lakh compared to the previous year.
The tourists who visited till January 21 this year are 19,483, out of which 334 are foreigners.
