At the initiative of Silchar MP & CM Assam, Governor notifies ‘Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary’ in Cachar

July 21: Assam Governor, Prof Jagdish Mukhi on 19 July, 2022 issued a notification demarcating area for Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary. The proposed Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary will only be the second Wildlife Sanctuary of Barak Valley. The proposed area is 320 kms and the said landscape is catchment areas of two major riverine system of the Valley – Barak and Sonai.

As per available information, while drafting this proposal, District Forest Department of Cachar and Department of Ecology & Environment Sciences of Assam University were involved. Also, former Commissioner of Southern Range Anwar Uddin Choudhury, Prof. Parthankar Choudhury, former Head, Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University and Official of Manas Sanctuary- Jatin Sharma were the prime movers and backbone of the drafting of the proposal. The map of the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary was prepared by Amir Sohel Choudhury, a research scholar of the Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University.

On the basis of the proposal prepared by the experts, this issue of the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary was forwarded by Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy in a letter addressed to Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on 29 January, 2022. In the said letter, Dr Roy wrote, “I am delighted to bring to your notice the case of Barak- Bhuban wildlife sanctuary. This proposed sanctuary of 320 square km is flanked between Sonai river and Barak river. The proposed area has a species of primates highest in India they are Slow Loris, Rhesus Macaque, Pig Tailed Macaque, Stump Tailed Macaque, Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Phayre’s Leaf Monkey and Hoolock Gibbon. It is also a habitat for King cobra, Gorals and Himalayan Serow. This area is also an excellent habitat for some rare and endangered flora of medicinal importance.”

“This sanctuary can be clubbed with the famous Bhuban temple and upcoming wildlife sanctuary and converted into a lucrative tourist circuit. A Proposed 200 hector land inside the Sanctuary can be earmarked under MPCDA (Medicinal Plant Conservation Development Area) scheme for conservation and Eco tourism. I would hereby like to propose setting up of the said area into a wildlife sanctuary specifically for protection of primates and medicinal flora,” added MP Dr Rajdeep Roy.

The proposal was given due weightage by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma who forwarded the same to the concerned department following which Assam Governor issued relevant notification on 19 July, 2022. The order of the Governor of Assam, Prof. Jagadish Mukhi to the proposal forwarded by the Chief Minister of Assam  Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma ( Deptt of Environment and Forest) is a new beginning. “In exercise of the power conferred by Section 35 of Wildlife (Protection) act, 1972 as amended upto date, the Governor of Assam is pleased to declare its intention to constitute the area described in the Schedule annexed hereto as to the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary,” stated Governor Mukhi in the said notification.

The notification further stated, “The Governor of Assam, hereby appoints the Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Silchar to enquire into and determine the existence, the 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 enquiry into the above will be as per procedure laid in the 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.”

Expressing his views, MP Dr Rajdeep Roy stated, “The Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary is a bio-diversity rich area both in terms of micro fauna and flora. The area is also home to numerous endemic species. This Wildlife Sanctuary proposal has been prepared after brainstorming with eminent persons from Assam University and other highly acclaimed scientists and environmentalists. This sanctuary in association with Bhuban Mandir has the potential to uplift the tourism prospect of the valley in the coming days and galvanise the economy. I wholeheartedly thank Himanta Biswa Sarma ji under whose stewardship this project is taking shape. My gratitude to Parimal Suklabaidya ji and the Cachar Forest division for giving me valuable inputs from time to time.”