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Kaziranga set to grow bigger by 31 sq km

By Rituraj Borthakur - 15 Sep 2010 12:00 AM GMT

GUWAHATI, Sept 3 - The Kaziranga National Park is set to grow bigger by 31 sq km. The State government has issued �preliminary notifications� to include the 7th, 8th and 9th additions into the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.

According to the notifications, the 7th addition falling in Kaliabor subdivision has an area of 176 hectares, while the 8th addition has an area of 307 hectares. The 9th addition in Biswanath Wildlife Division has an area of 2,570 hectares.

The notifications specify the boundary of the new additions, directing the respective deputy commissioners to �inquire into and determine the existence, the nature and extent of any rights/claims alleged to exist in favour of any person in or over any land within the limit described�.

Park director P Shiv Kumar said the area of the park currently is 884 sq km and once the new additions are included it would increase to 915 sq km.

The 7th addition comprises Deosur, Palkhowa and Deosur Hill proposed reserve forest in Nagaon district and the 8th addition comprises the Banderdubi area. The 9th addition is basically the Mokua Chapori in Sonitpur district.

�The additions include encroachment evicted areas and suitable wildlife habitat in riverine islands which are also vulnerable to encroachment. The new additions would consolidate the wildlife areas anticipating better conservation and reduction in man-animal conflict,� a forest official said.

Once the claims/objections and right-related issues are settled, the final notification would be issued and the new additions handed over to the park authorities.