OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: The Environment and Forest Department, Government of Assam vide No.544255/214 and in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (1) and (2) of section 35 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, has declared the Chirang Reserve Forest of Kokrajhar as the Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park yesterday. This is the second National Park in Kokrajhar district after the declaration of Raimana National Park comprising the reserve forest of Ripu.
The Governor of Assam further appointed the Secretary of Revenue, Bodoland Territorial Council, to act as the Collector under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, to inquire into and determine the existence, nature, and extent of rights of any person in or over the land comprised within the limits described in the schedule below.
The inquiry into the above shall be as per procedure laid in the Section 19 to 25A [(both inclusive except clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 24)] of the Wild Life (Protection) At, 1972 read with section 35 of the said Act.
The new Sikhnajhar National Park under Haltugaon and Chirang Division has an area of 316.29 sq km. The northern boundary of the proposed Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park will start from the inter-national boundary with Bhutan from Saralbhanga River at location 26° 51" 31.68" N/90º 15' 6.12" E and will run eastwards and crossing the Bhur River till the point located left of Gelephu (Bhutan) at 26° 52' 51.6" N/90° 27 7.92" E. The eastern boundary will run southward almost parallel to the Bhur River through Aie Block of Manas Reserve Forest till it reaches the Ride -9 at location 26° 36 51.84" N90° 19' 36.11"E. The southern boundary shall run along the Ride- 9 westward to a certain distance and thence run in the Northwest direction till it touches the left bank of the Saralbhanga River, the eastern boundary of Raimona National Park at location 26° 39 6.56" N/90° 13 35.35 E”.
The western boundary of the proposed national park shall run along the left bank of Saralbhanga River towards North till it reaches the Ultapani Forest Village (FV) and then it will run eastwards along the boundary of the forest village to a certain distance and then run straight southwards to a certain distance and then again proceed like a straight-line eastward along the boundary of the Ultapani and Labanyapur Forest Village (FV) where from it will run straight northwards along the eastern boundary of the Labanyapur Forest Village (EV). Then, it will proceed in a straight line along the northern boundary of the same forest village towards west.
Hence, the boundary, Iike a curve, will proceed crossing the Bishmuri-Saralpara Road towards Northwest till it touches the left bank of Saralbhanga River. Then, it shall proceed along the left bank of the river following the eastern boundary of Raimona National Park northwards till it touches the international border at location 26° 51' 31.68" N/90° 15' 6.12"E.
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