Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam: Complete List and Key Facts

Author: AxomRank | Updated: August 2026 | Reading time: 9 minutes

Beyond its seven national parks, Assam protects its biodiversity through a network of wildlife sanctuaries — roughly eighteen established reserves plus community reserves and deer parks — that guard everything from the world's densest rhino population to the only habitat of the endangered hoolock gibbon and golden langur [1] [2]. Sanctuary questions in ADRE hinge on superlatives: the oldest, the smallest, the densest, and the species-restricted reserves. This guide ranks them exactly the way the exam asks.

Quick Answer: Superlative Sanctuaries (Most-Asked Facts)

The Gibbon, the Rhino, and the Langurs

Assam's species-restricted sanctuaries are its most exam-friendly. Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary (Jorhat, established 1997) is the only sanctuary in India exclusively for the hoolock gibbon — India's only native ape, found nowhere else in the country [1] [2]. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (Morigaon, ~16 sq km) packs the highest rhino density in the world, out-densifying even Kaziranga on a per-hectare basis — a fact ADRE tests almost every year [1]. The golden langur, endemic to a small strip along the Bhutan frontier, is protected at Chakrasila (Kokrajhar–Dhubri) and Bornadi (Udalguri), with Bornadi additionally hosting the pygmy hog and hispid hare — two of the world's rarest mammals [1] [2].

The Oldest and the Smallest

Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary in Karbi Anglong, notified in 1952, is counted among the oldest sanctuaries of Assam and of India; despite covering barely six square kilometres, it shelters hot water springs, waterfalls, orchids, and rare birds near the Nambor reserve forests [1] [2]. At the other end of size, Pobitora's 16 sq km makes it one of the smallest — yet the densest — rhino habitat on Earth [1].

Wetland and River Sanctuaries

Deepor Beel (Kamrup), a permanent freshwater lake on Guwahati's southwestern edge, is Assam's flagship Ramsar site (designated 2002) and an Important Bird Area where wintering waterfowl gather in the thousands [1] [2]. Pani Dihing (Sivasagar), Bura Chapori and Laokhowa (Sonitpur, on the Brahmaputra's north bank), Nambor and Nambor Doigurung (Golaghat, with orchids and primates), Sonai Rupai (Sonitpur), Marat Longri (Karbi Anglong), Amchang (Kamrup), Rowta (Udalguri), Bhairabkund (Baksa), Dibru-Saikhowa, and Panbari (Dhubri, golden langur) complete the official network maintained by the Forest Department [1] [3].

How to Study Sanctuaries for ADRE

Learn the six-row superlative table first — oldest (Garampani), gibbon-only (Hoollongapar), densest rhino (Pobitora), golden langur (Chakrasila/Bornadi/Panbari), Ramsar wetland (Deepor Beel) — then skim the full network names by district. Practise the geography of Assam question bank, log progress in the study planner, and verify with mock tests scored on the score calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Assam?

Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary in Karbi Anglong, notified in 1952 — among the oldest sanctuaries in India [1] [2].

Which sanctuary is dedicated to the hoolock gibbon?

Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat district — the only sanctuary in India exclusively for the species [1] [2].

Which sanctuary has the highest rhino density in the world?

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district, at barely 16 sq km [1].

Where is the golden langur protected in Assam?

Mainly at Chakrasila (Kokrajhar–Dhubri), Bornadi (Udalguri), and Panbari (Dhubri) sanctuaries along the Bhutan border [1] [2].

What is Deepor Beel famous for?

It is Assam's Ramsar wetland (2002) — a permanent freshwater lake near Guwahati and an Important Bird Area [1] [2].

How many wildlife sanctuaries does Assam have?

About eighteen established sanctuaries, besides seven national parks, two community reserves, and deer parks, as per the official protected-area network [1] [3].

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References

[1]: https://assam.gov.in/about-us/406 "Wildlife Sanctuaries — Government of Assam (assam.gov.in)"

[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_Assam "List of Protected Areas of Assam — Wikipedia"

[3]: https://forest.assam.gov.in/portlets/national-park "National Parks & Sanctuaries — Forest Department, Government of Assam"

1. Wildlife Sanctuaries — Government of Assam
2. List of Protected Areas of Assam — Wikipedia
3. Forest Department, Government of Assam