Sikhna Jwhwlao Puts Assam Second in Protected Areas Race

Bineet Borthakur

With eight national parks, Assam now ranks second in India for number of protected areas.

Nestled along the Indo–Bhutan border, Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park spans approximately 316 km² across Assam’s Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. Officially notified on 5 March 2025, it became Assam’s eighth and Bodoland’s third national park.

Located between the Raimona and Manas National Parks, it forms a vital wildlife corridor stretching through the Greater Manas Conservation Landscape.

A mosaic of ecosystems ranging from moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests to savannah and riparian zones make this park a biodiversity hotspot. It hosts flagship species like the Golden langur, Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, and over 460 butterfly species.

This rare butterfly diversity inspired the creation of the Butterfly Museum & Research Centre in Ultapani, inaugurated in June 2025 to promote conservation education and research. It positions the park as a living laboratory for entomology, ecology, and biodiversity management .

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The park is named after Sikhna Jwhwlao, a revered Bodo warrior who resisted British forces during the mid-19th century Duar War. His ancestral capital, once located within this region, is now a sacred site where traditional Bathou and Kherai rituals continue. Thus, interweaves ecological importance with deep-rooted cultural identity.

Ecotourism 
Attractions like Saralpara picnic site, jungle treks, and butterfly watching along forest tracks cater to both adventure seekers and nature lovers.

By integrating conservation with community welfare, the park will play a multi-fold economic role:
1. Local Employment: Trained locals can serve as ecological guides, drivers, or custodians at eco‑camps and park outposts. Sustainable tourism will also create demand for local food, homestays, and crafts, stimulating micro‑enterprises.
2. Conservation‑Earnings Synergy: Revenue from park tickets, guided visits, and museum fees funds conservation and infrastructure upkeep.
3. Regional Tourism Boost: Together with Manas and Raimona, Sikhna Jwhwlao bolsters Assam’s reputation as a premier wildlife tourism hub.
4. Associated Industries: Growth in eco‑lodging, handicrafts, local transport services, and cultural events benefits the wider regional economy.

Through continued investment, awareness, and participatory development, Sikhna Jwhwlao can emerge as a model for sustainable conservation where nature, heritage, and local prosperity thrive together.
With Kaziranga National Park being overburdened, national parks in the BTAD region can act as a much needed diversion that can provide tourists with a similar wholesome experience while boosting footfall in surrounding areas.

BINEET BISHAL BARTHAKUR, Cotton University

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