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Civil society groups and conservationists in Assam have urged the government to designate the Roumari–Donduwa Wetland Complex, located within the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, as a Ramsar Site. The demand is based on the wetland’s high ecological value, rich avifaunal diversity, and its fulfillment of multiple Ramsar criteria.

About Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, in Nagaon District, Assam.
• Area: Approximately 70.13 sq. km.
• Ecological System: Part of the Laokhowa–Burachapori ecosystem and a notified buffer zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR).
• Landscape: Lies within the Brahmaputra Valley; surrounded by human-dominated areas except to the north.
• Flora: Habitat types include:
  • Alluvial grasslands
  • Alluvial forests
  • Moist deciduous forests
  • Tropical semi-evergreen forests

• Fauna: Home to key species such as:
  • Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros
  • Royal Bengal Tiger
  • Asiatic Water Buffalo
  • Elephants

Roumari–Donduwa Wetland Complex

• Situated within Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary; covers ~2.5–3 sq. km.
• Supports 120+ resident and migratory bird species.
• During the 6th Kaziranga Wetland Bird Census (2025):
  • 47,000+ birds from 163 species were recorded—higher than counts from Assam’s only current Ramsar Site, Deepor Beel.
• Important species recorded include:
  • Knob-billed Duck
  • Lesser Adjutant Stork (EN)
  • Black-necked Stork
  • Ferruginous Pochard (NT)
  • Common Pochard (VU)