Orang National Park: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa on September 2, 2021, spoke to clear the air over the renaming of Rajiv Gandhi National Park to Orang National Park in Assam. CM Biswa stated that the park has not been renamed but its name is being restored to its original name ‘Orang National Park’ to honor the sentiments of local people in the state.
Wish to clear the air
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 2, 2021
-Orang national park has not been renamed
-No National parks in Assam named after any person
-In 2005,Govt broke this convention and name of the former PM Rajiv Gandhi was affixed
-original name restored to honour the local sentiments
The Assam cabinet on September 1, 2021, had passed a resolution to rename Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park as Orang National Park. The state government stated that the decision to drop former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from Assam’s national park was taken due to prolonged requests from the Adivasi groups in the state. On August 6, 2021, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna was also renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.
Orang National Park, Assam: Timeline
1985: The Orang National Park was initially established as a sanctuary.
1992: The Orang Sanctuary was renamed Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary.
1999: The Sanctuary was declared as a National Park and it was upgraded to Orang National Park.
2001: Tarun Gogoi-led government in Assam included the name of former PM Rajiv Gandhi in the park which came to be known as Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.
Orang National Park, Assam: Background
The Orang National Park is a national park located on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam. It is spread over an area of 79.82 square km. It comprises rich flora and fauna, including great Indian rhinoceros, Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, wild water buffalo, and pygmy hog. The Orang National Park is the only park on the north bank of the Brahmaputra that houses rhinoceros.
National Parks in Assam
- Kaziranga National Park
- Dibru - Saikhowa National Park
- Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park
- Manas National Park
- Nameri National Park
- Raimona National Park
- Dihing Patkai
Did you know?Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park in Assam, India are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With 7 national parks now, Assam has the 3rd most National Parks in India. Madhya Pradesh has 12 national parks and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have 9 national parks. |
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