Guwahati: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Morigaon district reopened to tourists on Tuesday for the 2026-27 season, with the state forest department increasing the number of safari vehicles from 20 to 36 to meet growing demand.Environment and forest minister Jayanta Malla Baruah reopened the sanctuary, which is known for having one of the highest densities of one-horned rhinoceroses, in the presence of newly elected Nagaon BJP MP Devasish Sharma. Baruah also inaugurated a wildlife museum and a souvenir shop on the sanctuary premises.The minister said elephant safaris were expected to be introduced in Nov and that efforts would be made to further develop Pobitora as a major wildlife tourism destination.“There was a demand to reopen the sanctuary before the Puja season, particularly as tourist numbers have been rising every year. We have introduced new safari vehicles to meet the growing demand, while elephant safaris are expected to begin in Nov,” Baruah said.With Pobitora reopening on Oct 13, the three major wildlife tourism destinations in the region — Manas, Kaziranga and Pobitora — are now open for the season. Manas reopened on Oct 2, followed by Kaziranga on Oct 3.Highlighting Pobitora’s conservation significance, Baruah said the sanctuary had a rhino density of around 16 animals per square kilometre. He also credited the forest department and local communities with helping protect rhinos in Assam.“There was a time when rhino poaching was a daily occurrence in Assam. Today, we have reached a stage of zero rhino poaching. I thank our department and the local community for working together to protect Assam and its rhinos,” he said.Spread across 38.85 sq km, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is home to 108 rhinos, more than 500 wild buffaloes, around 385 species of migratory birds and thousands of deer. Its biodiversity and high rhino density make it a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts and tourists, particularly during the Durga Puja holiday season.
