It was declared in 1987 and covers 38.85 km2 (15.00 sq mi), providing grassland and wetland habitat for the Indian rhinoceros.

[2][1] Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary's grassland vegetation consists of at least 15 grass species including Cynodon dactylon, whip grass (Hemarthria compressa), vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides), ravennagrass (Saccharum ravennae), Phragmites karka, southern cutgrass (Leersia hexandra) and signalgrass (Brachiaria pseudointerrupta).

The grasslands provide habitat and food resource for the Indian rhinoceros, hosting Assam's second largest population.

[1] Other mammals occurring in the sanctuary are golden jackal, wild boar and feral water buffalo.

Barking deer, Indian leopard and rhesus macaque live foremost in the hilly parts.