A first reading of Bornadi
- 1. Orientation and habitat introduction
- 2. Guided wildlife experience
- 3. River landscape pause
Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary · Foothills of the Himalayas
Where the wild
remains untouched.
Protected area
26.22 sq km
Notified 22 August
1980
Assam–Bhutan border landscape
Himalayan foothills
A living waterway
Bornadi River
Conservation heritage
A sanctuary born
from the need
to protect the small.
Bornadi stands as a vital ecological corridor where the plains of Assam meet the Bhutanese foothills—a landscape of river, grassland and forest with a critical conservation role.
It was notified specifically to safeguard the world’s smallest wild pig, the pygmy hog, and the elusive hispid hare—two species tied to the future of grassland habitat.
The living landscape
River, grassland and forest meet beneath the Himalayan foothills.
At a glance
Where Assam meets
the Bhutan hills
Bornadi lies in Udalguri district on the Himalayan foothills along the Bhutan border, and takes its name from the Bornadi River.
- Location
- Udalguri district, Assam
- Northern boundary
- Bhutan foothills of the Himalaya
- Protected for
- Hispid hare and pygmy hog, since 1980
- Nearest airport
- LGBI Guwahati, approx. 150 km
Experiences
Six ways into
the landscape
Quiet observation and responsible access, arranged with the sanctuary.
01
Jeep Safari
Travel the sanctuary’s changing habitats—tall grassland, forest edge and riverbank—with authorised local guidance.
- — Grassland and forest-edge habitat
- — Authorised guided access
- — Early morning and late light
02
Wildlife & Nature Photography
Slow observation across grassland, forest edge, river and foothill light—a landscape that rewards patience over speed.
- — Foothill dawn and dusk light
- — River, grass and forest subjects
- — Ethical, distance-first practice
03
Birdwatching
Official sanctuary information lists peafowl, hornbill, swamp francolin and the Bengal florican among its birdlife.
- — Grassland and riverbank habitat
- — Hornbill and Bengal florican country
- — Best in the quieter hours
04
Wildlife Tracking & Nature Walks
Read tracks, textures and ecological signs with local interpretation—the sanctuary understood at walking pace.
- — Tracks, signs and habitat reading
- — Local ecological interpretation
- — Small, quiet groups
05
River & Landscape Experience
See how the Bornadi River shapes the sanctuary’s living mosaic of gravel beds, banks, grass and forest.
- — The Bornadi River corridor
- — Gravel beds and changing banks
- — Foothill views towards Bhutan
06
Tea Garden Visit
Extend your day into the wider cultural landscape of the foothills, where Udalguri’s tea gardens frame the approach to the sanctuary.
- — Udalguri foothill tea country
- — Cultural landscape context
- — Pairs well with a sanctuary day
01 — 06 · Scroll sideways
Plate 01
Grassland specialist
Pygmy Hog
Porcula salvania
Wildlife
Look carefully.
Tread lightly.
01
Pygmy Hog
Grassland specialist
02
Hispid Hare
Grassland mammal
03
Bengal Florican
Grassland bird
04
Asian Elephant
Large mammal
Wildlife is free-ranging. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Open field guideField guide
Wildlife of
the sanctuary
Species recorded in official Assam Forest Department information for Bornadi. Wildlife is free-ranging and sightings are never guaranteed.
Foothill forest canopy
Great hornbill
Foothill forest
Golden langur
River boulders
White-capped redstart
Plate 01
Grassland specialist
Pygmy Hog
Porcula salvania
Plate 02
Grassland mammal
Hispid Hare
Caprolagus hispidus
Plate 03
Grassland bird
Bengal Florican
Houbaropsis bengalensis
Birds listed
- Peafowl
- Hornbill
- Swamp francolin (swamp partridge)
- Bengal florican
Mammals listed
- Elephant
- Gaur
- Tiger
- Leopard
- Small Indian civet
- Jungle cat
- Chinese pangolin
- Porcupine
- Himalayan black bear
- Barking deer
- Pygmy hog
- Wild pig
- Hispid hare
The living landscape
Five worlds.
One sanctuary.
Forest, grassland, the Bornadi River, tea garden landscape and Himalayan foothills form one connected living system.
Guided experiences
Dawn on the grassland trail
Jeep safaris, nature walks and birdwatching follow the sanctuary’s grassland, forest and river. Contact the sanctuary to arrange your visit.
Suggested itineraries
Choose your
rhythm
Suggested itineraries to shape your time at the sanctuary.
Grassland to river
- 1. Early birdwatching
- 2. Habitat and conservation interpretation
- 3. Afternoon landscape experience
The wider foothill story
- 1. Bornadi habitat exploration
- 2. Wildlife and photography sessions
- 3. Tea garden and nearby landscape extension
Field notes
A visual
journal
How to reach
About 150 km
from Guwahati airport
Approximate road distances from Assam Forest Department information. Check road conditions before you set out.
By air
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati — approximately 150 km, continuing by road.
From Mangaldoi
Approximately 70 km by road.
From Tezpur
Approximately 120 km by road.
From Orang
Approximately 140 km by road — a natural pairing with a visit to Orang National Park.
Around Bornadi
Extend your
journey
Places listed by the Udalguri district administration near the sanctuary.
Picnic spot · River
Bhairabkunda
A scenic river spot on the Assam–Bhutan border, popular for day outings.
Landscape
Tea estates
The foothill tea gardens of Udalguri frame the drive towards the sanctuary.
Heritage
Sri Sri Basudev Mandir
A revered religious site in Udalguri district.
Heritage
Mahamuni Devalaya & Atrimuni Ashram
Religious and historic places listed by the district administration.
Before you travel
Arrive prepared.
Move responsibly.
FAQ
Contact the sanctuary