Orang National Park not renamed, original name restored to honour local sentiments, says HBS

Sept 2: The Himanta Biswa Sarma-led BJP government in Assam has taken the final call of deleting former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the Orang National Park, which is located on the North Bank of Bharhmaputra. Orang National Park spread over 78.80 sq. km is the oldest reserve forest in the state. It was named a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and declared a national park in 1999. After the Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday, Minister Pijush Hazarika said that the decision was taken as the name Orang is associated with the sentiments of Adivasi and the tea tribe community. Such name changes are part of a similar drive by BJP governments across the country.

This has resulted in a controversy wherein the Congress has alleged that such name changes are part of a similar drive by BJP governments across the country. However, reacting to these controversies State Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Wish to clear the air -Orang national park has not been renamed -No National parks in Assam named after any person -In 2005,Govt broke this convention and name of the former PM Rajiv Gandhi was affixed -original name restored to honour the local sentiments.”

Wish to clear the air

-Orang national park has not been renamed

-No National parks in Assam named after any person

-In 2005,Govt broke this convention and name of the former PM Rajiv Gandhi was affixed

-original name restored to honour the local sentiments

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 2, 2021