Assam government decides to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into national park

In the meeting held at Brahmaputra guest house in Guwahati, Sonowal directed the officials of the state Forest department to take necessary steps to upgrade the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into national park.          

In order to expedite the process of upgrading Dehing Patkai into a national park, the Assam Chief Minister directed the forest department to prepare a draft notification and hold public hearing to take the views of local dwellers residing around the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sonowal also instructed to prepare action plan for preserving the adjoining areas of the wildlife sanctuary and include the opinion of the public in the adjoining areas in the draft action plan.

Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 111.942 sq km which is spread over Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.

The Assam Chief Minister reiterated the state government commitment’s to preserve the national resources and environment of the state and highlighted Dehing Patkai’s role in maintaining forest cover in Assam.

He also directed the Forest department to take necessary action for up-grading Dehing Patkai into a national park in consultation with Union Environment and Forest Ministry.

The total number of national parks in Assam would increase to six after the up-gradation of Dehing Patkai into a national park.

(By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati)