Guwahati, 2nd December: The Dehing Patkai National Park has been officially opened to the public, announced State Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary at the inauguration ceremony. The park, located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, covers a vast rainforest area of 231.65 km². Minister Patowary highlighted the state government’s plans for further development and the construction of the main park gate at an approximate cost of Rs 10 lakh.
Accompanied by Thowra constituency MLA Sushanta Borgohain, Digboi MLA Suren Phukan, and other forest officials, Minister Patowary emphasized the significance of both oil blocks and forest cover in the area. He expressed the crucial role played by these natural resources in the state’s overall development.
Digboi Refinery, recognized as the world’s second oil refinery and Asia’s first, is set for expansion to increase its capacity to 1 MMTPA. The minister also shared plans to boost Numuligarh Refinery’s capacity from approximately 3.95 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA, with an ongoing construction of a 1630-kilometer-long straight pipeline from Paradip to Numuligarh.
Dehing Patkai National Park, initially declared a wildlife sanctuary on June 13, 2004, was upgraded to a national park on December 13, 2020. It encompasses the largest stretch of lowland rainforests in India, contributing significantly to the region’s biodiversity. The park’s official opening signals the opportunity for visitors to explore and appreciate its natural wonders.
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