Into the enchanting rainforest
Imagine a vast expanse dominated by Hollong, Nahar, and Meloni trees, and exotic plants like orchids found nowhere else in the country. A sanctuary teeming with exotic animals like the hoolock gibbon, pig-tailed macaque, black panther, clouded leopard, Asiatic elephants, and more.
Welcome to the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, a deciduous rainforest located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and often called the "Amazon of the East." The sanctuary earned its name ‘Dehing Patkai’ as it is situated at the foothills of the Patkai Hill Ranges and on the banks of the Dehing River.
Sprawling across 108 sq km, this captivating wildlife sanctuary is the only sanctuary in India that is home to seven species of wild cats: tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat, jungle cat, and marbled cat. It is also home to 47 mammal species, 301 butterfly species, 293 bird species and 47 reptile species. However, exploring the sanctuary alone is impossible because of the dense rainforests. Hiring the services of a local guide will allow you to venture deeper within and avoid startling the wild elephants prowling inside. The sanctuary is also part of the renowned Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve.
You will also encounter many ethnic communities of Assam, such as the Singphos, Tai Phakes, Tai Ahoms, and so on, who live throughout the area. These communities beautifully exemplify the peaceful coexistence between humans and nature.