Biodiversity Park in Assam's Sribhumi shows signs of neglect five years after launch

A government-funded biodiversity park in Sribhumi district, Assam, is showing clear signs of neglect, raising concerns about the upkeep of public environmental projects.

 

The Bio-Diversity Park, officially known as Sahitya Monishi Upaban, was inaugurated in November 2020 in the Chargola area under the Ramkrishnanagar constituency. Developed over nearly three hectares under the CAMPA project, the park featured a range of planted tree species and an artificial lake, and was intended to serve as a learning space for students and local residents.

 

Five years later, the site remains largely unattended. Local residents say routine maintenance has stopped, visitor facilities are unusable, and the park no longer serves its original purpose of promoting environmental awareness.

 

The park was inaugurated by Parimal Suklabaidya, then Assam’s Forest Minister and now Member of Parliament from Silchar. Despite its initial importance as a government-backed initiative, there has been little visible follow-up from the concerned department, the local MLA, or the district administration.

 

Observers point to insufficient funding and administrative oversight as key reasons for the decline. A senior lawyer from the district has formally drawn the attention of the Chief Minister to the condition of the park, seeking intervention to restore the site.

 

The situation has renewed debate in Assam over the long-term management of public infrastructure projects and whether adequate planning is in place beyond ceremonial launches.