Upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary to a National Park

Amid Coal Mining Row Assam Government Decides to Upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary to a National Park

  • The Assam government has decided to upgrade the 111.942 sq. km Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in to a National Park.
  • It is located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve.
  • It is spread over the coal and oil rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Sivas agar) .
Amid coal mining row Assam government

Overview

  • Recently, National Board of Wildlife gave conditional clearance to a coal-mining project by Coal India Limited (CIL) in the 98.59 hectares of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve.
  • The clearance led to virtual protests in the state.
  • Dehing Patkai that is also known as Amazon of East forms the largest stretch of tropical lowland rainforests in India.
  • It is also believed to be the last remaining contiguous patch of low land rain forests in Assam.
  • Dehing Patkai is also home to
    • Over 200 species of birds
    • Asiatic elephants
    • Leopards
    • Hoolock gibbons
    • Pangolins
    • Bears
    • Many species of butterflies
    • Orchids
  • It is the place with highest concentration of rare endangered White Winged Wood Duck.
  • Concerns were also raised that the habitats of these species would be affected due to wanton coal mining.
  • The state՚s forest department will prepare a draft notification for public hearing to expedite the process of upgrading Dehing Patkai into a National Park.
  • It will also take necessary actions for upgrading Dehing Patkai into a national park in consultation with MoEFCC.
  • The wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas, which permit some activities such as grazing.
  • However, national parks require complete protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
  • The Dehing Patkai was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004.
  • After up gradation, Dehing Patkai will be 6th national park in Assam.
  • The other five are-
    • Kaziranga
    • Nameri
    • Manas
    • Orang
    • Dibru Saikhowa

Examrace Team at Aug 21, 2021