Rs 534-crore wildlife safari and rescue centre planned in Assam’s Tingkhong

Construction of a state-of-the-art Wildlife Safari and Rescue Centre at Namdang Reserve Forest in Assam’s Dibrugarh district is set to begin soon, with the state government approving Rs 534 crore for the ambitious project.

The proposed facility will come up across nearly 235 hectares of land in the Tingkhong constituency and is expected to give a major boost to tourism and wildlife conservation in Upper Assam.

Recently, Assam ministers Jayanta Malla Baruah and Bimal Bora separately reviewed the project with officials from the Forest Department and other concerned departments.

The project will be implemented by the Assam Public Works Department in two phases.

The first phase has been allocated Rs 259 crore and will include dedicated enclosures for tigers, rhinoceroses, leopards and bears, besides a veterinary hospital and a wildlife rescue centre.

The second phase, estimated to cost Rs 275 crore, will focus on introducing exotic animal species, including Asiatic lions, cheetahs, zebras and hippopotamuses. An advanced research centre is also planned as part of this phase.

The proposed project has generated considerable enthusiasm among residents of Tingkhong, who believe it could transform the region into an important tourism destination.

Local residents have also expressed hope that the wildlife facility will strengthen conservation and rescue efforts while promoting eco-tourism in the area.

The project is also expected to create new employment opportunities for local youth and provide an economic boost to the region.

Residents have thanked Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and local MLA and Minister Bimal Bora for pushing ahead with the project.

With the government now moving towards implementation, residents are awaiting the start of construction of what is being projected as one of the major wildlife tourism projects in Upper Assam.