GUWAHATI: Winter season brings thousands of migratory birds to Pohu Garh located near the Rudra Sagar Lake in Sivasagar district of Assam.
Flocks of Siberain Pelican, Glossy Ibis, Bar-headed goose, Greylag Goose and numerous other species arrive in Pohu Garh during the month of November and December attracting a number of visitors including animal lovers, nearby residents and tourists.
Ahom Swargadeo Rudra Singha built the Pohu Garh during 1696-1714 as a natural zoo. It can be marked as Asia’s first natural zoo of that period. The Pohu Garh was built for animals including rhinoceros, deer, tigers, elephants, but now it has become home to thousands of migratory birds.
The area was designed in such a manner that it retains water-bodies throughout the year to create a natural habitat for the wildlife.
“Pohu Garh was built during the Ahom reign and it is still home to different birds and animals. District administration has not taken any steps for the protection of the historical place but authorities have successfully evicted parts of the Pohu Garh which were illegally occupied,” stated a local.
