Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Barail Wildlife Sanctuary

Barail Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC

Barail Wildlife Sanctuary located in the state of Assam, India. It is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Assam and is known for its rich biodiversity, including various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants.


The altitude in the sanctuary varies from 55 to 1500 meters above sea level. The sanctuary is characterized by moist tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.


Barail Wildlife Sanctuary appears to be a significant natural habitat in Assam, offering a diverse range of flora and fauna for those interested in wildlife conservation and nature exploration.


The best time to visit Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is from October to March.


Table of Contents

  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Location
  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary History
  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Area
  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna
    • Mammals
    • Birds
    • Reptile
  • Barail Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions


Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Location

The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Cachar district of Assam, India. It is situated southern part of Assam.


Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is the Silchar Airport (also known as Kumbirgram Airport), which is located approximately 40 kilometers away from the sanctuary. Silchar Airport serves as the primary point of access for visitors traveling to Barail Wildlife Sanctuary by air.


Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:

The nearest railway station to Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is the Badarpur Junction Railway Station. Badarpur Junction is situated relatively close to the sanctuary and serves as a convenient transportation hub for those arriving by train. From Badarpur Junction, you can continue your journey to the sanctuary by road.




Barail Wildlife Sanctuary History

The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the southern part of Assam, India, has a relatively recent history of establishment as a protected area. Here is a brief overview of its history:


Proposal for Protection: The area that is now the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary was proposed as a national park or sanctuary in the 1980s. This proposal was likely driven by the recognition of the region's ecological significance and the need for its conservation.


Notification: The sanctuary was officially notified on June 22, 2004, through a government declaration. This notification marked the formal establishment of the sanctuary as a protected area, aimed at preserving its unique flora and fauna.




Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Area

The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary covers an extensive area of approximately 326.24 square kilometers (126 square miles). This makes it one of the larger wildlife sanctuaries in the state of Assam, India. 


Within this vast expanse, the sanctuary hosts a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants. 




Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Flora

The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a rich and diverse range of flora, which includes various plant species adapted to the sanctuary's tropical moist evergreen and semi-evergreen forest habitats. Here are some examples of the flora found in the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary:


Diospyros cacharensis: This is a small deciduous tree belonging to the family Ebenaceae. It is native to the sanctuary and has been scientifically described for the first time in this region.


Alseodaphne keenanii: This is a large tree belonging to the family Lauraceae. Like Diospyros cacharensis, it was also scientifically described for the first time in the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary and is endemic to northeastern India.


Orchids: The sanctuary likely hosts a variety of orchid species, as northeastern India is known for its rich orchid diversity. Ornithochilus cacharensis is one such epiphytic orchid species found here.


Ginger Species: Larsenianthus assamensis, a terrestrial zingiber species, is among the plant species found in the sanctuary.


Other Forest Trees and Plants: The sanctuary's vegetation is dominated by evergreen and semi-evergreen trees, including various hardwoods and evergreen species adapted to the moist tropical climate. You can find a variety of broad-leaved tree species, shrubs, and understorey plants contributing to the sanctuary's lush and diverse forest ecosystem.




Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Barail Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)

The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse and significant fauna, including a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other wildlife species. Here is an overview of some of the notable fauna found in the sanctuary:


Mammals:

  • Chinese Pangolin
  • Flying Fox
  • Slow Loris
  • Stump-tailed Macaque
  • Assamese Macaque
  • Rhesus Macaque
  • Capped Langur
  • Hoolock Gibbon
  • Himalayan Black Bear
  • Yellowthroated Marten
  • Hog Badger
  • Jungle Cat
  • Leopard Cat
  • Fishing Cat
  • Marbled Cat
  • Clouded Leopard
  • Leopard
  • Wild Boar
  • Sambar
  • Barking Deer
  • Serow
  • Porcupine


Birds:

  • Lesser Adjutant Stork
  • White-backed Vulture
  • Slender-billed Vulture
  • White-cheeked Hill Partridge
  • Mountain Bamboo Partridge
  • Khaleej Pheasant
  • Grey Peacock-pheasant
  • Rufus-necked Hornbill
  • Wreathed Hornbill
  • Great Pied Hornbill


Reptiles:

  • Rock Python
  • King Cobra
  • Monitor Lizard
  • Brown Hill Tortoise
  • Asian Leaf Turtle




Barail Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions

Q. In which district is Borail Wildlife Sanctuary?

A. The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Cachar district of Assam, India. It lies in the southern part of Assam, within the geographical coordinates mentioned earlier. The sanctuary spans a significant area within the Cachar district and is known for its rich biodiversity and natural beauty.



Q. What is the area of Barail Wildlife Sanctuary?

A. The Barail Wildlife Sanctuary covers an extensive area of approximately 326.24 square kilometers (126 square miles). 

Barail Wildlife Sanctuary

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