The Assam Government has recently decided to increase the size of Orang National Park. The park is to be expanded thrice.

About the Expansion plan

The State is to add 200.32 square kilometre to the Orang National Park. The area to be added consists of Brahmaputra river. It also includes sandbars and islands of the river.

Why the expansion?

Tigers and Rhinos are using the islands and sandbars that are being included. Orang region in the northern bank of Brahmaputra is essential to Kaziranga Orang Riverine Landscape. This is because animals move between the Orang and Kaziranga stretch through these lands. This stretch is 180 km. It is a corridor connecting two habitats.

Future plans for Kaziranga – Orang

Gharials became extinct in the region six decades ago. The Assam Government is planning to reintroduce gharial here.

Significance

The rhinos and Gangetic Dolphins are to be benefitted greatly with the addition of this extra land. It will also benefit 16 species of turtles.