Kaziranga National Park to expand by 4.52 square km

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The world-famous Kaziranga National Park (KNP) is all set for another expansion of its geographical area. A preliminary notification issued by the Department of Environment and Forest recently mentioned that 452 hectares of land (approximately 4.52 square km) at Chariali Central Range under Biswanath Wildlife Division in the Biswanath district is proposed to be included as the 10th addition to the national park.

The extensive riverine landscape proposed as the 10th addition to Kaziranga National Park is used by residents and migratory megaherbivores such as Asiatic wild buffalo, rhinos, elephants and tigers, among others. Deer, hare, turtles, snakes, wild pigs and many species of local and migratory birds are also present in the region. The proposed 10th addition to Kaziranga National Park also acts as an important habitat and highland refuge for wildlife present in the 6th addition to Kaziranga National Park.

The new addition starts from the southeast corner of Monabari afforestation centre at the border of the 6th addition to Kaziranga National Park and runs along the boundary of Monabari Plantation. The northern boundary goes in the northwest direction. The western boundary runs in the southwest direction and from there, it runs in a southeast direction. From there, it again moves in a southwest direction till it meets the northern boundary of the 6th Addition to Kaziranga National Park. The southern boundary runs along the north bank of the Brahmaputra River following the northern boundary of the 6th Addition to Kaziranga National Park at the south-east corner of Monabari afforestation centre.

"In exercise of the power conferred by Section 35 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 as amended up to date, the Governor of Assam is pleased to declare its intention to constitute the area described as 10th addition to the Kaziranga National Park.

The Governor of Assam, further hereby appoints the Deputy Commissioner, Biswanath to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of any rights/claims alleged to exist in favour of any person or persons, in or over any land within the limit described in the Schedule below. The inquiry into the above will be as per procedure laid in section 19 to 26 A (both inclusive except clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 24) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 read with section 35 of the said Act," the notification signed by GD Tripathi, Commissioner & Secretary to the Environment & Forest Department mentioned.

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