Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary 📍 Why in News? 🟢 Assam’s Laokhowa… — UPSC environment mindmaps — TG.ME

🔆 Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary 📍 Why in News? 🟢 Assam’s Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary recorded its first-ever sighting of the rare migratory Smew (Mergellus albellus) during the 7th Kaziranga Waterbird Count 2026. 🟢 The critically endangered Bengal Florican was also sighted. 📍 Location & Geography 🟢 Located in Nagaon district, Assam, on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. 🟢 Area: 70.13 sq km. 🟢 Forms part of the Laokhowa–Burhachapori ecosystem. 🟢 Functions as a notified buffer zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. 📍 Key Features 🟢 Part of the Brahmaputra floodplain, characterised by seasonal floods, riverine islands and alluvial grasslands. 🟢 Important wetlands include Rowmari, Dondowa and Muamari beels. 🟢 Habitat includes wet grasslands, riparian forests, woodlands and Hijol swamp vegetation. 🟢 Acts as a wildlife corridor connecting Kaziranga and Orang landscapes. 📍 Biodiversity 🟢 Supports One-horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Wild Water Buffalo and Hog Deer. 🟢 Supports 225+ resident and migratory bird species. 📍 Conservation Significance 🟢 Maintains genetic connectivity among wildlife populations across the Brahmaputra Valley. 🟢 The return/sighting of species such as Smew and Bengal Florican indicates the importance of wetland protection and habitat restoration. 🎯 Prelims Pointers 🟢 State: Assam 🟢 District: Nagaon 🟢 River: Brahmaputra 🟢 Area: 70.13 sq km 🟢 Ecosystem: Laokhowa–Burhachapori 🟢 Smew: Mergellus albellus 🟢 Bengal Florican: Critically Endangered #Environment