Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary: Nestled in the enchanting state of Assam, the Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary stands as a symbol of the local dedication to preserving and safeguarding its diverse wildlife. The Assam government is currently working on reopening the age-old route that wild animals take from Kaziranga to Orang National Park, passing through the Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary

Location:

• It is a protected area located in the state of Assam in India.
• This wildlife sanctuary covers 44.06 km2, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River in Sonitpur district.

Background:

• Originally marked as a Reserved Forest in 1974, it officially became a wildlife sanctuary in 1995.
• Ecosystem: It’s a crucial part of the larger Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system and serves as a buffer for the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.

Biodiversity:

• This sanctuary is like a haven for the Bengal florican, a beautiful bird. It’s also a favorite spot for many migratory birds. You’ll find reptiles and fish here too.
• Wildlife: The area is home to some impressive mammals, including the Indian rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pigs, and occasionally even a herd of elephants.
• Birds: The skies here are filled with amazing birds like the Bengal florican, black-necked stork, mallard, openbill stork, teal, whistling duck, and many more. It’s a bird watcher’s paradise!

About the Bengal Florican

• Scientific Name: Houbaropsis bengalensis

Location

• The Bengal Florican, also known as the Bengal bustard, is a type of bird.
• It’s originally from the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and parts of Vietnam.
• These birds prefer living in open grasslands with tall grass and scattered bushes.
• Bengal floricans have two separate groups of populations.
• One group is found from Uttar Pradesh through Nepal’s Terai region to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in India, historically extending to Bangladesh.
• The other group resides in Cambodia, possibly stretching into southern Vietnam.
• While they do migrate, the distances covered are not extensive.
• Their migrations are likely limited to just a few dozen kilometers.

Description

• The male Bengal florican has a black plumage from the head and neck to underparts.
• Immature Bengal floricans look like a female.
• The female is larger than the male.

Social Behaviour

• These creatures usually stay quiet, but if something bothers them, they make a metallic chik-chik-chik sound.
• Male creatures that want to show off make a croaking noise and a deep humming sound.

Conservation Status

• It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because fewer than 1,000 individuals were estimated to be alive as of 2017.
• It is the only member of the genus Houbaropsis.
• Restricted to tiny fragments of grassland scattered across South and Southeast Asia, the Bengal florican is the world’s rarest bustard.
• It is known to have become increasingly threatened by land conversion for intensive agriculture, particularly for dry season rice production.
• Poaching continues to be a problem in Southeast Asia.

Read Also: Banni Grassland Reserve