Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary is located on the southern bank of Brahmaputra River in the district of Sibsagar of Assam. Sivasagar is a city situated in the southern part of the mighty river Brahmaputra. According to history the capital of Ahom kingdom was earlier situated.
The Pani Dihing has been approved by the government and officially declared and established in the month of December 1996 by the government of Assam. The district is a rich wet land ecosystem that covers an area of 33.93 Sq. Km. The sanctuary provides shelter to numerous species of local and migratory birds. Pani Dihingis the third Wildlife Sanctuary which joined the network of protected areas owing to its rich diversity of bird species. Geographically it is located between 27 degree10` North Longitude & 94degree35` East Latitudes.
Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary experiences moist tropical climate. The annual temperature varies between maximum of 35 degree C & minimum of 8 degree C. It receives an annual rainfall of approx. 3200 mm with relative humidity of 65 - 85 %.
Flora and Fauna of Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary
Pani Dihing serves as a paradise for both resident and migratory birds. There are almost 165 species of birds in the sanctuary. Some of the bird species found in Panidihing are Darter, Indian Shag, Purple Heron, Little Cormorant, Large Cormorant, Spotbilled Pelican, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Intermediate Egret, Large Egret, Openbilled Stork, Barheaded Goose, Pintail, Mallard, Shoveller, Pariah Kite, Brahminy Kite, Palla`s Fishing Eagle, Grey Headed Fishing Eagle, Whitebacked Vulture, Swamp Patrigdge, Whitebreasted Waterhen, Purple Moorhen, Water Cock, Coot, Moorhen, Bronzewinged Jacana, Pheasant tailed Jacana, Kingfisher, Barbet, wagtail etc.
Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary has been bestowed with the distinguished status of a Ramsar site because of the migration of thousands of aquatic birds from the freezing cold lands of Siberia, Tibet and Europe to the sanctuary`s pleasant retreat in winter. Some of these migratory birds also settle and set up their habitat within the sanctuary. They also give birth to their chicks here.
Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary is also rich in vegetation and several species of grassed are found here. The best time to visit the sanctuary is during the months of November to March. The sanctuary can be conveniently reached through various mode of transportation available here. The transportation facility in the city includes the services through roadways, train and by air also and thus one can chose between the best options. The sanctuary is 80kms by road from Rowriah Airport, 88 kms from Mohanbari Airport and almost 22 kms from Sibsagar.
