Assam’s Kaziranga National Park to be expanded

A file image of the Kaziranga National Park | Photo Credit: AP

GUWAHATI

The Assam Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved the expansion of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on Wednesday (June 4, 2025).

Kaziranga, home to an estimated 2,613 one-horned rhinos and an estimated 32.64 tigers per 100 sq. km., currently has an area of 1,302 sq. km.

A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office said an area of 47,306.33 hectares will be added as the sixth addition of the national park. “This move aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts and promote sustainable tourism at the UNESCO World Heritage Site,” the statement said, adding that the Cabinet had decided on the expansion on May 21.

The statement also said 10 villages will be excluded from the expansion plan. These villages are Baligaon, Biswanath Ghat, Gakhirkhaite, Gonaitapu, Gopal Jarani, Hatimura, Jobre, Silghat, Thute Chapori, and Umatamoni.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister held the first meeting of the Core Committee for the Centenary Celebrations of Bharat Ratna Sudhakantha Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. He said a biography of the music maestro, currently under review, will be translated into 23 Indian languages.

The biography will be distributed to more than four lakh colleges, libraries, and offices across the country, and to 10 lakh people in Assam.

Published - June 04, 2025 06:31 pm IST