Assam to enhance forest cover by 2000 sq km

GUWAHATI:

Assam’s forest cover will increase by 2000 square kilometres, said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, while announcing the plan at the concluding ceremony of the 66th Wildlife Week.

“Assam, which is known for its clean and green ambience, has to be re-strengthened with the addition of forest cover,” Sonowal said.

According to satellite data (from November 2017 to February 2018), Assam’s forest cover has been recorded at 28,326.51 square kilometres, which is 36.11 per cent of the state’s geographical area.

An Institute of Wildlife Health and Research at Dinjan in Dibrugarh district is also in the pipeline, Sonowal said.

“Moreover, all wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests camps in the state would be provided with solar lights and smartphones,” he said.

The chief minister further informed that the state government will set up a forest division at Borail range and that it will link Dehing Patkai with Joypore and transform it into a national park.

The chief minister also shared the government’s decision to announce the rain forest of Jonai as a wildlife sanctuary.

“The rich biodiversity has been drawing wildlife enthusiasts from across the world to Assam because of the slew of measures taken by the state government in the past four years,” he added.