The Garbhanga forest complex (currently Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary) is located in the southern part of Guwahati city. The forest, covering an area of 117 km2 is contiguous with the Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary of Meghalaya and the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam. The Garbhanga forest complex offers a variety of outdoor activities like trekking, picnic spots, birdwatching, off-road rides, photography etc. Besides, recreational activities, Garbhanga Forest along with Rani Forest is considered the lungs of Guwahati. With 64 reptile species, 29 amphibians, and 250 butterfly species, Garbhanga is a key wildlife habitat sustaining Assam’s unique biodiversity and providing crucial green cover to the city. In this blog, we will discuss everything about the Garbhanga forest.
Location of Garbhanga Forest Range
The Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary is located 15 km south of Guwahati. The Garbhanga Forest area is surrounded by Guwahati City and Dipor Bill in the North, the Meghalayan ranges on the east and south, and the Rani Range on the west.
How To Reach Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary
The Garbhanga Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary can mainly be accessed from Guwahati via two routes – from Basistha Chariali (20 km) and Lokhra Chariali (25 km). Though it’s a reserve forest, there is a well built road inside it which leads you to the Assam Meghalaya border.
From visitors perspective, the forest area can be divided into two parts – eastern and western. The eastern part of the Garbhanga forest can be accessed by Basistha road and the western side the forest can be accessed by Lokhora-Garbhanga road.
From Basistha Chariali, you can take the Basistha Mandir Mandir road to reach Garbhanga Forest.
However, for casual travellers, it is better to visit the place from Lokhra Chariali. From Lokhra Chariali, you have to reach Garbhanga Entry Point which is 1.3 km away. The road to this point is very good. The entry point is manned by officials from the Assam Forest Department. You have to register your name before entering the forest area. No kind of pass or documents are required and entry is free of cost.
From this entry point, you have to travel more than 25 km in a narrow road (Block structured) to reach the destination. The last two kilometers are dirt roads. It will take more than an hour. The road condition is good but be careful and limit your speed while turning.
Note: There is no public transport to reach Garbhanga forest. You must have your own vehicle.
Why is Garbhanga Forest Famous For?
Garbhanga forest is famous for its picnic places. The area is also famous for trekking and hiking. Most of the time, people from Guwahati visit the forest for picnic party with family and friends.
Known for its ecological significance, Garbhanga is home to over 300 bird species, earning the title of “bird paradise”. It shelters more than 31 species of mammals — including elephants, the critically endangered hoolock gibbon, and rare Assamese macaques – all listed on the IUCN Red List.
Topography and Climate of Garbhanga Reserve Forest
The forest type of Rani-Garbhanga in Assam Valley is a tropical mixed moist deciduous forest. The forest has four types of climatic conditions, viz.: pre-monsoon, monsoon, retreating monsoon, and winter. The maximum humidity ranges between 80–90 %. The area’s rainfall ranges between 3,000–4,500 mm, and the temperature ranges between 11–36 °C.
Main Attractions of Garbhanga Forest
Garbhanga forest is blessed with abundance of natural beauty. Just a distance of 20 km from Guwahati city, one would hardly believe that such pristine nature exists side by side a modern metropolis. There are many activities and attractions near Garbhanga wildlife sanctuary.
Hiking and Trekking
There is no other place near Guwahati city that offers hiking and trekking opportunity like Garbhanga. For hikers and trekkers, it is nothing sort of heaven. There are places inside the the forest range that are still unexplored. The forest offers opportunity for river crossing, nature trail, MTV bike riding etc. There are stretches of route where there is no human activity and feels like mini-Amazon rainforest. However, you will need experienced hikers who know the terrain to go deep into the forest. There are several instances of herds of elephants attacking villages near the forest.
Waterfalls and Rivers
There are three major waterfalls inside Garbhanga forest. Although these waterfalls are not of great height, they are great for sightseeing and to soak your body. These waterfalls are not overcrowded. Besides people are not allowed to go near the waterfalls and river streams with vehicles. So, these water sources are less polluted. In some waterfalls, you have to pay a minimum amount of entry fee to visit. Inside the forest, you are options for angling only if you carry your equipment.
Picnic Party and Outdoor Cooking
Garbhanga is considered the most favourable picnic place near Guwahati. Once you are inside the forest area, there are designated places where you can prepare your meal. If you are travelling in a group, you can carry a packaged lunch and have food in this picturesque place. If you are an outdoor person, you can prepare your food near the spot, have a drink and enjoy music and dance. As the majority of people living there are tribals, you can also explore authentic tribal dishes. But for that , you need local contacts as there are no restaurants inside the forest area. You can approach local vendors who are selling local wine with pork, & some vegetables, snacks etc.
Photography, Bird and Butterfly Watching
Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary offers a serene landscape for nature enthusiasts. With its lush greenery and diverse flora, photographers are generally have the problem of plenty. The area is known for variety of butterflies.
Note: WeCare — a small group of Nature enthusiasts, which organises Nature walks and trips once a year inside Garbhanga Forest. You can contact them.
Travel Guidelines About Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary
♦ Choose you vehicle wisely before entering the forest area, especially during rainy season. You not only need a vegicle with good performace history, but also a good driver.
♦ The parking place is not so big. However, you may park the vehicle at the roadside.
♦ Mobile network is not good and no electricity is there inside the forest area.
♦ You must leave the forest area before 6 PM according to guidelines of the forest authority.
♦ Beware of elephants.
Additional Read:
We recommend this article from Mahabahu Magazine about Garbhanga Forest Reserve.
