Guwahati, September 22: Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, which was established in 1999, has suffered significant land loss over its 25-year existence, now covering only 216.53 square kilometers—over 36 percent of its original area. Official records reveal that approximately 123.47 square kilometers have eroded since the park’s declaration, primarily due to the flooding of nearby rivers, including the Brahmaputra, Lohit, Siang, Dibru, and Dibang.
Satellite imagery from 2023, analyzed by the Environment and Forest Department of Assam, highlights this alarming decline. In addition to erosion, the park faces encroachment issues, with 6.53 square kilometers of land currently occupied illegally. The floods, especially during the monsoon season, exacerbate the situation, creating a scarcity of shelter for the park’s wildlife.
The park authorities have urgently requested assistance from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) for mechanized rubber boats to facilitate animal rescue operations during floods. The records indicate that when the park was first declared a National Park, approximately 35.84 percent of the land was covered by trees; this figure has now decreased to 38 percent of the current area.
In response to these challenges, the government has devised a comprehensive 10-year management plan, spanning from 2024-25 to 2033-34, aimed at mitigating further erosion along the Brahmaputra. Financial resources for this plan have been earmarked, demonstrating the government’s commitment to preserving the park’s ecosystem.
Additionally, the document outlines ongoing efforts to relocate the inhabitants of Laika and Dadhia, two forest villages within the park. Out of 543 families residing in Laika, 160 have already been moved to designated land in the Namphai forest. The remaining families will be resettled in the Paharpur Reserve Forest, with efforts currently underway.
Originally established to protect the habitat of the rare white-winged wood duck, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is home to numerous other endangered species, including the water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, feral horse, and capped langur. The park boasts a rich biodiversity, with 36 recorded mammal species and over 382 bird species, earning it designation as an Important Bird Area (IBA).
Visitor interest in the park is on the rise, with 1,925 tourists recorded in 2023-24, a notable increase from 1,423 in the previous year. This surge in tourism highlights the park’s appeal, but it also underscores the need for vigilant conservation efforts.
The area’s history is steeped in ecological significance, having been designated as a reserved forest in 1890 and subsequently expanding over the decades to its current status as a national park. The conservation of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is critical, not just for its unique wildlife but also for the ecological balance of the region.
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