GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal during his meeting with the officials of Forest Department at Brahmaputra State Guest House here today directed the officials to take necessary steps to upgrade the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Assam into a National Park.
In order to expedite the process of upgrading Dehing Patkai into a National Park, the 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.
He 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. Notably Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 111.942 square kilometers.
The 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 national park in consultation with Union Environment and Forest Ministry. It is to be mentioned that the total number of national parks in Assam would increase to six after the up-gradation of Dehing Patkai into a national park.