Assam has added two more to its kitty of National Parks, with the total number going up to seven.
Raimona Reserve Forest in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and Dihing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tinsukia district of Assam have been notified as National Parks.
“Raimona and Dihing Patkai National Parks have been formally notified, adding to Assam’s total tally of National Parks to 7. Assam has become the second state in the country to have the highest number of National Parks,” said Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya.
Gazette notification declaring Raimona and Dihing Patkai as National Parks have been published.
“In exercise of power conferred by Section 35 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended up to date) the Governor of Assam is pleased to declare the land described in the schedule below as the National Park with effect from the date of publication in the official Gazette,” the Assam Gazette dated June 8 declaring Raimona as National Park read.
The Raimona National Park covers 422 square km area. It is situated in Gossaigaon sub-division under Kokrajhar district in BTR, Assam.
On the other hand, the Dihing Patkai National Park will be spread over 234 sq km.
“The proposed Raimona National Park is located on the extreme north-western part of the State adjacent to the West Bengal near the Assam-West Bengal border and comprised of the Norther part of Ripu Reserved Forest notified vide Government notification number 7606 dt. 22.9.1893,” the Assam Gazette added.
“The Northern boundary of the proposed Raimona National Park is the international boundary formed with the Southern boundary of Bhutan from Sonkosh River running eastwards till the left bank of Saralbhanga River. Western boundary runs along the right bank of Sankosh River and also is along the inter-state boundary of Assam and West Bengal. Eastern boundary is the inter-reserved forest and inter-forest boundary common boundary of Ripu and Chirang RF under Kachugaon-Haltugaon division respectively. The Southern boundary of the proposed NP runs from the right bank of Sonkosh River towards east through fire line vide no 6, thence it turns 90 degree southwards at right bank of Pekua River to meet fire line Ride-3 and runs eastwards till it meets the left bank of Saralbhanga River,” the Gazette further read.
“The Reference point of the proposed NP is the Inter-state Boundary located on the right bank of River Sonkosh at B.P. No 1… Thence the boundary runs eastwards,” the Assam Gazette added.
