🔆 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
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