Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park

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Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park
Open wing basking of Dichorragia nesimachus (Doyere, -1840-) - Constable.jpg
Dichorragia nesimachus at Ultapani Division of Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park
Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park
Location Chirang and Kokrajhar district, Bodoland, Assam
Nearest city Kokrajhar
Area316.29 sq. km
Established2025
Governing body Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
Government of Assam

Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park is a national park located in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam, India, encompassing parts of the Chirang and Kokrajhar district. [1] Covering an area of 316.29 square kilometres, it is part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve and serves as a crucial ecological corridor connecting four other protected areas. [2] The park is situated along the Indo–Bhutan border and supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered species. [3]

The Government of Assam formally approved the creation of the national park during a Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2025. [4] [5] It was officially notified as a national park by the Governor of Assam on 5 March 2025, under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park is the third national park in Bodoland and the eighth in Assam. [6]

The park is home to more than 460 species of butterflies and serves as a habitat for several rare and protected species, including the Golden langur, One-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asian elephant etc. [7]

Etymology

The park is named after Sikhna Jwhwlao, also known as Joulia Dewan, a legendary Bodo warrior and leader who resisted British colonial forces during the Duar War between Bhutan and the British East India Company in 1864–1866. [8] His capital, known as Sikhnajhar or Chiknajhar, was located in the present-day Ultapani Reserve, which now falls within the boundaries of the national park. This location is regarded as sacred by the local Bodo community. Traditional religious festivals such as Bathou Puja and Kherai Puja are conducted annually at the site.

References

  1. ↑ "Indo-Bhutan conservation action plan soon to save golden langurs". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  2. ↑ "Elephant killers will be punished, says Assam tribal council chief". The Hindu. 2025-05-03. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  3. ↑ "Sikhna Jwhwlao to be State's 8th nation". The Assam Tribune. The Assam Tribune. 17 February 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Assam Govt Notifies Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve As 8th National Park, To Be Named Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park". Nort East Today. Nort East Today. 17 February 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Students paint walls to help conserve golden langurs". The Times of India. 2025-02-27. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  6. ↑ Bharat, E. T. V. (2025-02-19). "Sikhna Jwhwlao, A Haven For Golden Langurs, Declared Assam's Eighth National Park". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
  7. ↑ "Assam: Chirang Reserve Forest of Kokrajhar Declared as Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park". The Sentinel. The Sentinel. 8 March 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park - 3rd in BTR, 8th in Assam". Bodopedia. Bodopedia. February 17, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
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