About Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam :
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the eastern region of Assam. It is the only sanctuary in Assam where seven primate species of Northeastern India can be seen. Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary has been playing a major role in the research and conservation of the primate community of the animal kingdom. The sanctuary is situated at an approximate distance of 19 km from the city of Jorhat and covers a total area of about 20.98 sq km.
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam derived its name from the Gibbons (Bunopithecus hoolock), which are one of the rarely found primate species in India. After relentless demand by the locals and various NGOs, the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1997. The sanctuary was originally a part of Hollongapar Reserve Forest rich in various plant species. The Forest has been named after the species of trees: Holong (Diperocarpus Macrocarpus) and Agar (Aquilaria agallocha). Apart from these, the other plant species found in the sanctuary are Garcinia spp., Terminalia mycocarpe, Artocarpus chaplasha, Mesua ferra, Lagerstromia speciasa, and several species of bamboo, Michelia champaca, ferns and orchids.
Flora:
The Park includes – Dipterocarpus macrocarpus (Holong), Aqualaria agolacha (Agaru or Sachi), Terminalia myrocarpa (Halakh), Artocarpus chama (Sam), Michelia champaka (Titachopa), Canarium reiniferum (Dhuna), Lagerstoemia flosreginae (Azar), 8 Garcinia species(Thekera), Sepium buccatum (Selng) and many more. Various species of bamboo, fern, orchids and medicinal plants are also found here.
Fauna:
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is the most diverse spot for primates in India. Out of 15 species of Primates in India, seven species of primates are found in Gibbon WLS, and they include: Slow lories, Rhesus macaque, Assamese macaque, Stum-tailed macaque, Pigtailed macaque, Capped langur, Hoolock gibbon. The Avian diversity of the sanctuary is also very high and includes the Hornbill, Racket-tailed Drongo, Parakeets, Doves, Pegions, Owl, Eagles, Kite, Treepie, Flower peaker, Fly catcher, Kaleej pheasant, Red jungle fowl, Crow pheasant etc. Amongst reptiles Python, Cobra, Monitor lizard and Tortoise, etc. are found in the sanctuary.
Major Wildlife Attractions :
Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several primate species like Trachypithecus pileatus capped langur, Bunopithcus hoolock Hoolock gibbon, M. mulatta rhesus macaque, Macaca arctoides stump tailed macaque, M. nemestrina pig tailed macaque, Nycticebus coucang slow loris, and M. assamensis Assamese macaque, of which six of the seven primate species have been declared highly endangered. Some of the other animals found in the sanctuary are elephants, sambar, wild boar, tiger, jungle cat, leopard cat, barking deer, Himalayan orange bellied squirrel, horry bellied squirrel, gecko lizard, cobra, Malayan giant squirrel, Indian civet, fox, python, common monitor lizard, etc. During the census of 2000 the presence of two tigers were confirmed in the sanctuary.
How to Get there :
Road: Nearest road head is Jorhat (19 Kms.) and well connected to the other places also.
Rail: Jorhat is very well connected to the Northeatern states of India.
Air: Guwahati and Jorhat are the two airports from where one approaches.
Best Time to Visit – the Sanctuary is between the months of October to March.