Guwahati, Aug 18 (IANS) Assam has expanded its protected forest network by 403.62 square kilometres, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma describing the move as an unprecedented expansion of the state’s conservation landscape.
Sarma, in a post on X on Tuesday, said the newly added area was almost equivalent to the size of Jaipur city and represented the biggest such addition to the protected forest network anywhere in India.
He wrote that Assam is expanding India’s conservation map, highlighting the move as a major step toward strengthening the state’s forest and wildlife conservation efforts.
According to the information shared by the Chief Minister, 403.62 sq km of land has been added to Assam’s Protected Area Network since 2016. The expansion is expected to strengthen wildlife habitats and improve the continuity of conservation landscapes across the state, particularly around ecologically important areas.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the expansion’s impact on the Kaziranga landscape, saying the additions have helped make Kaziranga a more contiguous conservation landscape.
Kaziranga National Park, one of Assam’s most prominent wildlife destinations, is globally recognised for its population of the one‑horned rhinoceros and is also home to elephants, tigers, wild water buffaloes, and several species of migratory and resident birds.
The expansion of protected areas is significant for Assam, which has several national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other ecologically sensitive zones supporting diverse flora and fauna. In recent years, the state government has emphasised strengthening wildlife corridors, protecting habitats, and expanding conservation areas to reduce pressure on forests and improve connectivity between wildlife habitats.
The addition of 403.62 sq km is also expected to protect biodiversity‑rich areas better and support long‑term conservation efforts. The government has maintained that strengthening protected areas is crucial for balancing development with environmental protection, particularly in a state known for its rich biodiversity and large wildlife population.
Sarma’s announcement comes amid a renewed focus on wildlife conservation and habitat protection in Assam, where conservation initiatives have increasingly sought to create larger, more connected landscapes for wildlife.
The latest expansion marks another significant addition to Assam’s protected area network and reinforces the state’s position as a major centre of biodiversity conservation in India.
–IANS
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