Environment & ClimateImportant2025-02-16

Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park Approved in Assam

Why focus: GS1 Geography — tests new 8th Assam National Park (Sikhna Jwhwlao) and Manas-Buxa wildlife corridor in Match-the-Following map format.

In News

What Happened

On February 16, 2025, the Assam Cabinet approved the creation of Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, which was subsequently notified in March 2025. Covering 316.29 square kilometers across the Chirang and Kokrajhar districts, the park was carved out of the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve. It is the eighth national park in Assam and the third within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).

Why It Matters

The park secures a critical wildlife corridor connecting Manas National Park and Raimona National Park, facilitating safe animal movement across the Greater Manas Conservation Landscape. It provides strict legal protection to flagship endangered species like the Golden Langur, while honoring indigenous Bodo heritage by naming the park after a legendary local warrior.

Background

History & Context

The creation of the park was first announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during his Independence Day speech in August 2024. The Assam Cabinet formally approved the measure on February 16, 2025, and it was officially notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on March 5, 2025. The park is named after Sikhna Jwhwlao (also known as Jaolia Dewan), a revered Bodo warrior who fought against British colonial forces during the 1860s Duar War, thereby integrating ecological conservation with cultural identity.

What Changed

▶
BEFORE: The 316 sq km area functioned as parts of the Chirang and Manas Reserve Forests within the Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve, which allowed certain human activities. NOW: It is classified as a National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, granting it the highest level of strict legal protection as an inviolate space.
▶
BEFORE: Assam had seven national parks, with the contiguous forest stretch between Manas and Raimona lacking the highest tier of legal protection. NOW: Assam has eight national parks, and Sikhna Jwhwlao establishes a fully protected ecological corridor between Raimona (west) and Manas (east), extending to Bhutan's Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary.
▶
BEFORE: The endemic Golden Langur and over 460 butterfly species resided in reserve forests susceptible to habitat fragmentation. NOW: These species are safeguarded in a dedicated national park, complemented by conservation initiatives like the new Butterfly Museum and Research Centre inaugurated in nearby Ultapani.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

In NCERT Class 11 Geography (India Physical Environment), Chapter 5 'Natural Vegetation' outlines the establishment of National Parks and Biosphere Reserves for in-situ wildlife conservation. The notification of Sikhna Jwhwlao applies these concepts by elevating a reserve forest to a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, securing contiguous habitats (wildlife corridors) that are crucial for the genetic viability of large mammals like elephants and tigers.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

With reference to the newly declared Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, consider the following statements: 1. It serves as a contiguous wildlife corridor connecting Kaziranga National Park to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. 2. It is a major habitat for the endangered Golden Langur and is located within the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Up next