The recent recommendation by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to allow coal mining in a section of Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve in Assam is stirring up news. Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve, which includes Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, is renowned for its rich biodiversity.
About Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
Commonly referred to as the Jeypore Rainforest, Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam. The sanctuary is named after the river Dehing that meanders through the forest and Patkai hill situated at the sanctuary’s base.
Distinct Fauna
A rare collection of fauna calls this region home. Some of these species include the Chinese pangolin, flying fox, wild pig, sambar, barking deer, gaur, serow, and Malayan giant squirrels. Uniquely, it is the only sanctuary in India hosting seven different species of wild cats including tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat, jungle cat, and marbled cat. The forest is also populated with Assamese macaques, a primate listed as Near Threatened on the Red List.
Flora of Dehing Patkai
This sanctuary boasts a deciduous rainforest intermixed with semi-evergreen and verdant flora. The diverse vegetation presents a vivid landscape that makes the sanctuary a crucial ecological spot.
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
Formally constituted in 2003 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, the NBWL operates under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Headed by the Prime Minister, the board’s purpose is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests. As an advisory body, it can only furnish advice to the government on policy formulation for wildlife conservation.
The standing committee of NBWL, chaired by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, holds the authority to approve all projects located within protected wildlife areas or within a 10-kilometer radius of them. It is this committee that has recently given its nod to coal mining in parts of the Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve.
The Controversy
The NBWL’s recent decision has sparked controversy as environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts express concerns about the potential ecological damage. The move might not only risk the unique biodiversity of the sanctuary but also affect the Assamese macaques, a near-threatened species residing in the reserve. Additionally, the decision could set a dangerous precedent for other protected areas across the country, thereby threatening India’s overall biodiversity.