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Geography of Assam: National Parks, Rivers, Minerals & Wetland Factsheet
Added on 29 Oct 2026
Geography of Assam: National Parks, Rivers, Minerals & Wetland Factsheet
Geographical data regarding Assam's topography, river basins, forest cover, and wildlife sanctuaries constitutes nearly 15-20% of the General Studies section in state recruitment exams.
1. The 7 National Parks of Assam (In-Depth Comparison)
Assam is home to seven National Parks, making it the third-highest state in India for national park density:
| National Park | Year Declared | District(s) | Key Wildlife Species & Distinct Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaziranga National Park | 1974 (UNESCO: 1985) | Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur | World’s largest population of Great One-Horned Rhinoceros; Tiger Reserve; Important Bird Area. |
| Manas National Park | 1990 (UNESCO: 1985) | Baksa, Chirang | Project Tiger reserve; Elephant reserve; Biosphere reserve; Home to Pygmy Hog and Golden Langur. |
| Dibru-Saikhowa National Park | 1999 | Dibrugarh, Tinsukia | Largest salix swamp forest in Northeast India; famous for feral horses (wild horses). |
| Nameri National Park | 1998 | Sonitpur | Located in foothills of Eastern Himalayas; famous for White-Winged Wood Duck (Deo Hah) and Mahseer fish. |
| Orang National Park | 2016 | Darrang, Sonitpur | Known as the "Mini Kaziranga"; located on northern bank of Brahmaputra; high tiger density. |
| Raimona National Park | 2021 (6th NP) | Kokrajhar (BTR) | Riparian forest in Manas Biosphere buffer; famous for Golden Langur and Asian Elephants. |
| Dihing Patkai National Park | 2021 (7th NP) | Dibrugarh, Tinsukia | Known as the "Amazon of the East"; magnificent tropical wet evergreen rainforest. |
2. River Systems of Assam
The Brahmaputra River
- Origin: Angsi Glacier in southwestern Tibet, where it is known as the Yarlung Tsangpo.
- Entry into India: Enters Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang or Dihang river.
- Formation of Brahmaputra: At Kobo near Sadiya, the Dihang unites with the Dibang and Lohit to form the mighty Brahmaputra.
- Major North Bank Tributaries: Subansiri, Ranganadi, Dikrong, Jia Bharali, Gabharu, Belsiri, Dhansiri (North), Puthimari, Pagladiya, Manas, Beki, Aie, Sankosh.
- Major South Bank Tributaries: Burhi Dihing, Disang, Dikhow, Jhanji, Bhogdoi, Kakodonga, Dhansiri (South), Kopili, Kulsi, Dudhnoi, Krishnai.
- River Island: Majuli, the world's largest inhabited river island, was declared a district in September 2016.
- Smallest River Island: Umananda Island (Peacock Island) situated in Guwahati, housing the Umananda Temple.
The Barak River
- Rises in the Manipur Hills, flows through Cachar and Karimganj districts, and bifurcates into the Surma and Kushiyara rivers near the Bangladesh border.
3. Wetlands & Mineral Wealth
- Ramsar Site: Deepor Beel (designated in November 2002), located in Kamrup Metropolitan district.
- Petroleum & Natural Gas: Digboi is home to Asia's oldest operating oil refinery, established in 1901. Major oil fields include Naharkatiya, Moran-Hugrijan, and Rudrasagar.
- Coal Deposits: Makum Coalfield (Margherita, Ledo) in Tinsukia district is famous for Tertiary high-sulphur bituminous coal.
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