Assam government proposes new Reserved Forest adjacent to Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary to boost habitat connectivity.

Key facts

• The Assam government has proposed the creation of a new Reserved Forest adjacent to Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district.
• Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
• The sanctuary is part of the Laokhowa–Burachapori ecosystem and lies between Kaziranga National Park to the east and Orang National Park to the west.
• Vegetation includes wet alluvial grasslands, riparian forests, semi-evergreen forests, and supports species such as Hollong, Mekai, Dhuna, Udiyam, Nahar, and Samkothal.
• Fauna includes the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pig, elephants, Bengal Florican, Black-necked Stork, Mallard, Teal, and Whistling Duck.
• The proposed Reserved Forest aims to improve habitat continuity, reduce fragmentation, and facilitate wildlife movement across protected areas in the Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem.