Short Note : Sonitpur district, Assam

The Sonitpur district is the second largest (area wise) and the third most populous district in Assam. The district headquarters of the Sonitpur district is located in Tezpur. It is known for its immense flora and fauna reserves and is home to multiple national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Nameri National Park

The Nameri National Park which is located in Sonitpur district shares its northern boundary with the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh. It was declared as Tiger Reserve (2nd to be declared after Manas Tiger Reserve). It has 2 core areas: the Nameri National Park & the Sonai- Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary (Satellite Core of the Nameri Tiger Reserve).

Orang National Park

The Orang National park which is also partially located in Sonitpur District. The fauna in the national park includes the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, pygmy hog, elephants, wild buffalo, and tigers. It is the only place where the rhinoceros are found on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river.

Along with the above national parks, Sonitpur is also home to two wildlife sanctuaries: Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary and Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. Other reserved forests in Sonitpur are Behali, Naduar and Charduar.

Why is it in the news?

The plans for a mega food park in the Sonitpur district have been shelved after a visiting team of wildlife experts found that the project was encroaching on a major elephant corridor.