Guwahati: In a significant development, the Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has decided to de-notify Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, a prime habitat for one-horned rhinos located about 48 kilometers east of Guwahati.
According to environmental activists, this decision, taken 26 years after the Assam Forest Department declared Pobitora as a wildlife sanctuary on March 17, 1998, marks the first instance of such action for any protected area in the country.
The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent safari at the Kaziranga National Park, drawing attention to wildlife conservation in the region.
The state government has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking relief regarding demarcating the sanctuary’s boundary, removing encroachments, and declaring an eco-sensitive zone around it.
Confirming the decision, a senior forest officer stated that the 1998 notification was made without proper consultation with the Cabinet and the Chief Minister at the time.
The Cabinet noted that certain areas within the sanctuary, including government-owned khas land, were not under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department. Additionally, it highlighted the unsettled rights of people residing in the area, especially those belonging to marginalized communities.
However, acknowledging the need for wildlife protection, the Cabinet recognized Pobitora’s significance in housing a large population of one-horned rhinos, along with other wildlife species like wild buffaloes, leopards, and barking deer.
Often dubbed as ‘Mini Kaziranga’ due to its similar landscape and rich biodiversity, Pobitora reports the highest concentration of one-horned rhinos on earth, with a population of 107 recorded in the last census conducted in 2022.
In a bid to engage local communities in conservation efforts, the Cabinet has formed a five-member committee to examine the implications of the de-notification decision. The committee, led by the Special Chief Secretary (Forest), is tasked with submitting a report within six months.
While conservationists express concern over the unprecedented move, pointing out the Supreme Court’s previous observation regarding the sanctuary’s boundary demarcation, they note that any proposal for de-notification requires the recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife and subsequent approval from the Supreme Court.
The decision to de-notify Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary underscores the delicate balance between conservation efforts and socio-economic considerations, sparking debate among stakeholders regarding the future of wildlife protection in the region.
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