Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, witnessed a heavy turnout of tourists, especially from England, Switzerland and Belgium in 2018, compared to 2017.
Pobitora which is home to the world-famed one-horned rhinoceros and other animals sees a good amount of both foreign and domestic tourists every year.
The surge in tourist flow can be attributed to improved infrastructure, coupled with proper marketing system undertaken by the authorities, according to a report in The Assam Tribune.
According to Forest Department sources, from October 1 upto December 31, 2018, as many as 15,021 domestic and 276 foreign tourists visited the sanctuary. During the period under reference, revenue generation was recorded at Rs 28.93 lakh.
Similarly in 2017, a total of 13,026 domestic tourists and 196 foreign tourists visited the sanctuary.
According to the 2017 census, there were 101 rhinos at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary which was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1998.
Pobitora is a paradise for avian species. Myriad species of aquatic as well as woodland birds flock here and 214 species were spotted last year. Atleast, 80 species of butterfly have been recorded in Pobitora thus far. Leopards too are seen in the Raja Mayong Hills. The tiger census of 2000 showed the absence of big cats in Pobitora, but recorded 13 leopards.
However, the sanctuary has been facing a serious flood-related problem since past several years. Several areas have already been eroded due to flood-induced erosion. The local people are of the view that a proper flood management system is the need of the hour to save flora and fauna of the sanctuary.