Dehing Patkai becomes 7th National Park of Assam

On 9th June 2021, Assam government notified the 111.942 sq km Dehing Patkai wildlife sanctuary (WLS) as its 7th National Park(NP). The WLS is a part of the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve. Dehing Patkai WLS, also known as the “Amazon of the East” or “Jeypore Rainforest” is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.

i.With 7 NP’s Assam becomes the 2nd state to have the highest number of National Parks, while the 1st position is held by Madhya Pradesh. Overall, Assam is the 3rd, after the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar .

Note – Dehing Patkai NP turns to be 106th NP of India

iii.Rare Species in the NP – Chinese pangolin, Assam macaque, Clouded Leopard, Flying Fox

• Rare endangered “White Winged Wood Duck” are found in high concentration.

Other 6 National Parks in Assam :-  Nameri, Orang, Dibru-Saikhowa , Raimona NP along with the below two

UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites in Assam:

• Kaziranga National Park
• Manas National Park

Things to Recall:

i.On the World Environment Day (5th June 2021), Assam government notified the 422 sq. km contiguous forest patch in the Bodoland Territorial Region as “Raimona National Park”, Assam’s 6th NP.

ii.One of endangered Monkey species, the “Golden Langur”, is found in Raimona NP.

Recent Related News:

In January 2021, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the ‘Management Effectiveness Evaluation(MEE) of 146 National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India, 2018-19’ report.

Great Himalayan NP & Tirthan WLS of Himachal Pradesh Scored high and topped among the National Parks(NP) & Wild Life Sanctuaries(WLS).

About Assam:

Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu is the harvest Festival of Assam, which also marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year.

Deepor Beel is a freshwater lake formed by the channels of Brahmaputra River. It is the only Ramsar Convention site of Assam.