Assamese Festival

Poba Forest Festival Of Assam: Celebrating Biodiversity And Conservation

The Poba Forest Festival, locally known as Poba Barsharanya Mahotsav, is a unique eco-cultural festival of Assam that celebrates forest biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and sustainable community livelihoods. Held annually in the Poba Reserved Forest area of Jonai in Dhemaji district, this festival has emerged as an important platform for environmental awareness and eco-tourism promotion in Northeast India.
Poba Forest Festival Of Assam festival in Assam

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History & Traditions

Unlike conventional festivals centered only on rituals or celebrations, the Poba Forest Festival focuses on the deep relationship between forests and indigenous communities. It highlights how natural ecosystems sustain life, culture, and economic well-being in riverine Assam. The festival brings together forest officials, environmentalists, researchers, students, tourists, and local tribal communities under a shared goal of protecting one of Assam's ecologically sensitive forest regions.

Location and Ecological Importance of Poba Reserved Forest

The Poba Reserved Forest is a vital green corridor located along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary. A portion of this forest falls under the Ruksin forest range of Pasighat territorial forest division, while the rest lies within Assam. National Highway 515 runs along this border, dividing parts of the forest but also making it accessible for eco-tourism activities.

One of the most significant ecological features of Poba Reserved Forest is its role as an elephant corridor. The forest connects Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh with Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Upper Assam, allowing free movement of wildlife across landscapes separated by the Brahmaputra river system. This connectivity makes Poba crucial for biodiversity conservation in the eastern Himalayan foothills.

Origin and Purpose of the Poba Forest Festival

The Poba Forest Festival was initiated to raise awareness about the rapid loss of forest cover caused by encroachment, erosion, and recurring floods from the Lali and Siang rivers. Although Poba Reserved Forest was officially notified in 1924 during British rule, environmental pressures over the last two decades have threatened its ecological balance.

Organized by the Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) in collaboration with environmental organizations like Nature's Beckon, the festival aims to promote the idea that forest conservation and community development must go hand in hand. The event also supports the proposal to upgrade Poba Reserved Forest into a Wildlife Sanctuary, ensuring stronger legal protection.

Festival Venue and Duration

The festival is typically held at scenic locations such as the Siang-Lali sandbank near Tinimile Ghat, surrounded by riverine landscapes and dense forest cover. Spanning three days, the festival offers immersive experiences that allow visitors to connect with nature while learning about conservation challenges.

Activities and Attractions

The Poba Forest Festival features a wide range of activities designed to educate, entertain, and inspire participants:

Birdwatching and Wildlife Observation
The forest is home to numerous bird species, making birdwatching a major attraction. Guided trails allow visitors to observe avian diversity and understand habitat conservation.

Nature Trekking and Jungle Trails
Organized treks through forest paths introduce participants to native flora, medicinal plants, and wildlife corridors while promoting responsible eco-tourism.

Cultural Performances and Tribal Exhibitions
Indigenous communities, especially the Mising tribe, showcase traditional dances, songs, handloom products, and ethnic lifestyles. These performances reflect how forest ecosystems influence local culture.

Food Mela and Handloom Expo
Local food stalls offer traditional Assamese and tribal cuisine, while handloom exhibitions display indigenous textiles, encouraging sustainable livelihoods.

Workshops and Seminars
National-level workshops on wildlife protection, tourism prospects, and ecological balance are conducted before and during the festival. Educational institutions such as Jonai Girls College actively participate in pre-festival awareness programs.

Photo Exhibitions and Documentary Screenings
Photography exhibitions and documentary screenings on the wildlife and natural resources of Poba Reserved Forest help visually communicate conservation issues to a wider audience.

Role of Community and Governance

The festival is inaugurated by leaders of the Mising Autonomous Council, highlighting the role of local governance in environmental protection. Participation from forest officials, NGO activists, researchers, and community leaders from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh strengthens cross-border conservation cooperation.

Community involvement is central to the festival's success. Local residents act as guides, performers, artisans, and organizers, ensuring that conservation efforts also create livelihood opportunities.

Environmental Message and Future Vision

The core message of the Poba Forest Festival is the need to balance ecological security, biodiversity conservation, and human development. The forest plays a vital role in flood protection for Jonai and Bahir-Jonai areas, acting as a natural buffer against river erosion.

By promoting eco-tourism, the festival encourages people to value forests not just as resources, but as living systems essential for survival. The growing popularity of the festival reflects increasing public interest in sustainable tourism and conservation-driven festivals in Assam.