View source for Biology:Biodiversity of Assam

{{Short description|Biodiversity of Assam, a state in North-East India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
[[File:Golden Langur.jpg|thumb|right|A golden langur]]
[[File:white-winged.wood.duck.arp.jpg|thumb|right|A white-winged wood duck or deuhnah]]
[[File:Betel nuts (from top).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Areca nut tree or tamul goss]]

The '''biodiversity of Assam''' ({{Lang-as|অসমৰ জৈৱবৈচিত্ৰ}}), a state in North-East India, makes it a biological hotspot with many rare and [[Biology:Endemism|endemic]] plant and animal species. The greatest success in recent years has been the conservation of the [[Biology:Indian rhinoceros|Indian rhinoceros]] at the Kaziranga National Park, but a rapid increase in human population in Assam threatens many plants and animals and their natural habitats.

The rhinoceros, tiger, deer or [[Biology:Chital|chital]] / ''futukihorina'' (''Axis axis''), swamp deer or ''dolhorina'' (''Cervus duvauceli duvauceli''), [[Biology:Clouded leopard|clouded leopard]] (''Neofelis nebulosa''), [[Biology:Hoolock gibbon|hoolock gibbon]], [[Biology:Pygmy hog|pygmy hog]] or ''nol-gahori'' (''Porcula salvania''), [[Biology:Hispid hare|hispid hare]], golden langur (''Trachypithecus geei''), [[Biology:Asian golden cat|golden cat]], giant civet, [[Biology:Binturong|binturong]], [[Biology:Hog badger|hog badger]], [[Biology:Porcupine|porcupine]], and civet are found in Assam. Moreover, there are abundant numbers of [[Biology:South Asian river dolphin|Gangetic dolphin]]s, mongooses, giant squirrels and [[Biology:Pythonidae|pythons]]. The largest population of wild water buffalo anywhere is in Assam.<ref>Choudhury, A.U. (2010)The vanishing herds : the wild water buffalo. Gibbon Books, Rhino Foundation, CEPF & COA, Taiwan, Guwahati, India.</ref> 

The major birds in Assam include the [[Biology:Blue-throated barbet|blue-throated barbet]] or ''hetuluka'' (''Megalaima asiatica''), white-winged wood duck or ''deuhnah'' (''Asarcornis scultulata''), [[Biology:Pallas's fish eagle|Pallas's fish eagle]] or ''kuruwa'' (''Haliaeetus leucoryphus''), great pied hornbill or ''rajdhonesh'' (''Buceros bicornis homrai''), Himalayan golden-backed three-toed wood-pecker or ''barhoituka'' (''Dinopium shorii shorii''), and migratory pelican.

Assam is also known for [[Biology:Orchidaceae|orchids]] and for valuable plant species and forest products.

== Protected areas in Assam ==
There are several protections in Assam, including several national parks, in particular in the Brahmaputra Valley.

;National parks
* Manas National Park (560 km<sup>2</sup>)
* Kaziranga National Park (320 km<sup>2</sup>)
* Orang National Park (110 km<sup>2</sup>)
* Nameri National Park (90 km<sup>2</sup>)
* Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (490 km<sup>2</sup>)

;Wildlife sanctuaries<ref name="wildlife-sanctuary">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Wildlife Sanctuary |url=https://forest.assam.gov.in/portlets/wildlife-sanctuary |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Environment & Forest, Govt. of Assam}}</ref>
# Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary
# Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
# Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary
# Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
# Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
# Pani Dihing Wildlife Sanctuary
# Hollongapar Wildlife Sanctuary
# Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
# Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
# Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary
# East Karbi-Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
# Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary
# Marat Longri Wildlife Sanctuary
# Nambor - Doigrung Wildlife Sanctuary
# Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary
# Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
# Borail Wildlife Sanctuary
# Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary
# Bordoibam Bilmukh Bird Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed)
# North K. Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary (Proposed)

== See also ==
* Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests
* [[Earth:Physical geography of Assam|Physical geography of Assam]]
* Rhino poaching in Assam

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== References ==
* ''Biodiversity of Assam: Status Strategy & Action Plan for Conservation'', eds A K Bhagabati, M C Kalita, S Baruah, Eastern Book House, New Delhi  (2006)

== External links ==
* {{WWF ecoregion|name=Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests|id=im0105}}
{{Assam}}{{Biodiversity Worldwide}}

[[Category:Biodiversity|Assam]]

{{Sourceattribution|Biodiversity of Assam}}