Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary: Location, Species, and Latest Developments

The Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam has recently come into focus due to successful community-led conservation efforts that have restored wild honey bee colonies and revitalised the surrounding ecosystem. This initiative highlights how local participation can play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation while supporting ecological balance.

Latest News: Community-Led Conservation Success

Local communities around Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary have actively worked to:

• Restore wild honey bee colonies
• Protect natural nesting sites
• Reduce habitat disturbance

The revival of honey bees has had a positive cascading effect on the ecosystem, improving pollination, strengthening forest regeneration, and supporting other wildlife species. This initiative is being seen as a model of sustainable conservation, combining livelihood awareness with environmental protection.

About Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts, Assam
• Area: 45.5 square kilometres
• Terrain: Hilly landscape with dense forest cover
• Established: Declared a wildlife sanctuary to protect regional biodiversity

Chakrashila is particularly famous as the second protected habitat for the endangered golden langur in India.

Ecological Significance

Golden Langur Habitat

• Home to over 600 golden langurs
• One of the most important conservation sites for this endangered primate
• The species is endemic to parts of Assam and Bhutan

This makes Chakrashila a highly exam-relevant protected area, often asked in relation to endangered species.

Important Wetlands

Two lakes are integral to the sanctuary’s ecosystem:

• Dheer Beel
• Diplai Beel

These water bodies:

• Support aquatic biodiversity
• Help maintain local microclimates
• Provide drinking and feeding grounds for wildlife

Flora of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary supports diverse forest types:

• Tropical moist deciduous forests
• Mixed deciduous forests
• Semi-evergreen forests

Sal (Shorea robusta) is the dominant tree species, playing a vital role in maintaining forest structure and supporting wildlife habitats.

Fauna of Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

Mammals

The sanctuary hosts a wide range of wildlife, including:

• Elephant
• Tiger
• Leopard
• Clouded leopard
• Gaur
• Sambar deer
• Barking deer

Bird Species

Chakrashila is also an important bird habitat, housing several rare and endangered species such as:

• Bengal Florican (Endangered)
• Great Hornbill
• White-winged Wood Duck (Endangered)

This makes the sanctuary significant for both mammalian and avian conservation.

Why Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary Is Important for Exams

• Second protected habitat of the golden langur
• Example of community-led conservation
• Presence of important wetlands (Beels)
• Rich biodiversity with endangered species
• Located in Assam, a biodiversity hotspot region