NEW DELHI: The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has approved a proposal from the Assam Government to rationalise the boundary of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS).
As part of this change, PWS will see an exclusion of 470.67 hectares and an inclusion of 564.83 hectares in the Morigaon District. However, the Board has instructed the state government to submit a draft plan for an Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) for PWS.
The NBWL noted that this rationalization would improve hydrological flows, secure critical wetlands and water channels, and enhance the ecological integrity of the sanctuary.
The rationalization proposal was submitted by the Assam government following directions from the Supreme Court, which issued an order on March 13, 2024, in response to a writ petition filed in 1995.
The proposal aims for an overall increase in the total sanctuary area from 3,880.61 hectares to 3,978.29 hectares. Officials believe that the newly included areas will create a better wildlife corridor linking significant blocks of PWS.
The need for boundary rationalization arose after a detailed analysis of the area. It was found that there are dense human settlements and private patta lands within the 1998 boundary notification, comprising approximately 265 patta holders over about 173 hectares. There have also been instances of encroachments and conflicts between local communities and sanctuary management. Furthermore, the ecological design of the 1998 boundary was deemed inadequate, as it failed to ensure proper connectivity of water channels and viable wildlife corridors.
Additionally, hydrological challenges have emerged, including blocked channels and shrinking wetlands, which have negatively impacted rhino habitats.
Due to these challenges, the NBWL emphasizes the need to harmonize conservation objectives with livelihood interests by rationalising the boundaries to protect critical wildlife habitats while excluding permanent human settlements and private patta lands whenever possible.
The committee has directed the Assam government to submit a detailed ESZ plan that regulates all developmental activities in the area. It has stated that all land, including private lands, should be excluded from the scope of the rationalized boundaries of PWS.
Moreover, the state government must obtain consent from all private landowners in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 before proceeding with the formal notification of the new boundaries for PWS.
This decision to rationalize the area of PWS was made during the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), which was held on February 28, 2026, under the chairmanship of Union Minister for MoEFCC Bhupendra Yadav.