Assam Cabinet Approves Expansion Of Kaziranga National Park By Over 47,000 Hectares

The Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved the expansion of Kaziranga National Park by more than 47,000 hectares under its sixth extension. The decision aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The expansion includes several villages such as Gopal Jarani, Gonaitapu, Jobre, Thute Chapori, Baligaon, Biswanath Ghat, Umatamoni, Gakhirkhaite, Silghat, and Hatimura, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.

This approval was made during the state cabinet meeting held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati on May 21.

In addition to the park’s expansion, the cabinet sanctioned the issuance of arms licenses to original inhabitants and indigenous residents in vulnerable and remote border areas to enhance security.A Rs 250 crore proposal was also approved to upgrade 34 polytechnics and 43 government Industrial Training Institutes into Centres of Excellence in partnership with Tata Technologies Limited, focusing on skill development and employment.

Furthermore, three institutions will be renamed: Sarusajai Sports Complex to Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex; Mangaldoi Stadium to Raja Dharma Narayan Stadium; and the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development to Golap Borbora State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development.

The cabinet also approved land allotment by Assam Power Distribution Company Limited to Greenko Energies for a 900 MW off-stream Pumped Storage Project in West Karbi Anglong. Relaxations in land use norms for oil palm cultivation under the National Mission on Edible Oils—Oil Palm scheme were also authorized to benefit more farmers.