The Assam Environment and Forest department has issued a preliminary information for granting wildlife sanctuary status to Behali reserve forest located in Biswanath district.
“The Governor of Assam hereby appoints the Deputy Commissioner of Biswanath District to act as a Collector under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of rights of any person in or over the land comprised within the limits described in the Schedule,” said a gazette notification issued by Assam government on March 9, which was published on May 4.
About Behali Reserve Forest –
Behali Reserved Forest, located in the Biswanath district of Assam is a patch of semi-evergreen forest in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas.
This forest is an part of the greater Sonitpur Elephant Reserve and was declared as a reserved forest in 1917. It lies between the two famous protected areas, the Nameri National Park on its west and Kaziranga National Park on its south comprising a total area of 140 square km. Hence it acts as an important corridor for migration of several species between these protected areas mainly the elephants.
It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area in 1994 and a Key Biodiversity Area in 2004.
