Question.Which government has decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park :
(a) Arunachal Pradesh
(b)Tripura
(c)Assam
(d) Meghalaya
Answer : (c)
- Context:
- The Assam government has decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park. Dehing Patkai was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2004.
- About:
- The 112 km2 Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is located within the larger Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, which spreads across the coal- and oil-rich districts of Upper Assam (Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Sivasagar).
- It is believed to be the last remaining contiguous patch of lowland rainforest area in Assam. It is also the place with the highest concentration of the rare endangered White Winged Wood Duck can be found.
- Post upgradation, Dehing Patkai will be the sixth national park in Assam — the other five being Kaziranga, Nameri, Manas, Orang and Dibru-Saikhowa.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries vs National Parks?
- As a national park, its importance will increase and new rules will bring increased vigilance.
- While wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas which permit some activities such as grazing, national parks call for a complete protection status under The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Some human activities can be allowed inside a wildlife sanctuary, but no human activity is allowed in a national park.
Links: