Sounds unfamiliar? Not many people in Assam are aware that the state currently has as many as eight National Parks, which makes it occupy the second position after Madhya Pradesh which has eleven. Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, the eighth, which was notified by the Government of Assam on March 20 this year, covers an area of 316.29 sq km and is spread across Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. What is most significant is that with the creation of Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, more than half the length of the India-Bhutan international boundary and a wide stretch of land running along it is now covered by National Parks, the other two being Manas and Raimona. The three contiguous National Parks thus cover a sizable area of about 1130 sq km. This in turn serves a number of crucial purposes. One, it secures important natural habitat for a large variety of fauna and flora; some of the prominent faunal species are golden langur, one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, buffalo, bison, pygmy hog and hispid hare, to name a few, besides a large variety of birds. Secondly, the area is protected from encroachment and occupation particularly by illegal migrants. Thirdly, while illegal tree-felling can be now checked across a large area, this in turn will help re-generate green cover, in the process also checking top-soil erosion and reducing flood level. This way, protecting this 1130 sq km area in the Eastern Himalayas foothills will also contribute towards preserving the region’s rich biodiversity, wildlife, and ecosystems. Taking all the eight National Parks into consideration, one however can notice that barring Kaziranga, people of the adjoining areas of the other National Parks have yet to draw economic benefits from them by way of taking to tourism-related activities. While the Parks will remain closed for visitors till October, now is the best time to take some initiatives, be it government or non-government.