Context: Recently, the Assam government has decided to upgrade Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary into a national park. 
Process

• The proposal to upgrade sanctuary in a National park will be submitted to the central government. In most of the cases, centre does not veto such a proposal from a state government.
• Assam Chief Minister has also directed the forest department to prepare a draft notification and to hold public hearings in order to take views of the local dwellers regarding the upgradation who are residing around the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary.

Significance of this move

• While wildlife sanctuaries are protected areas which permit some activities such as grazing, national parks call for a complete protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Its importance will increase and new rules will bring increased vigilance to the area.
• Once the sanctuary is given the National Park Status by the government, it will guarantee the protection of the flora and fauna and better management of Dehing Patkai which forms the largest stretch of lowland rainforest in the country. 
• With the status, there will be a flow of more funds which is expected to boost the infrastructure of the sanctuary.

About Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary

• The Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as the Jeypore Rainforest.
• It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam.
• Dehing is the name of the river that flows through this forest and Patkai is the hill at the foot of which the sanctuary lies.
• Fauna: Rare fauna found in the region include Chinese pangolin, flying fox, wild pig, sambar, barking deer, gaur, serow and Malayan giant squirrels.
• It is the only sanctuary in India which is home to seven different species of wild cats - tiger, leopard, clouded leopard, leopard cat, golden cat, jungle cat and marbled cat.
• Assamese macaque, a primate found in the forest, is in the red list of Near Threatened species.
• Flora: Dehing Patkai is a deciduous rainforest interspersed with semi-evergreen and lush green flora.