Concerns Rise Over Leadership Vacuum at Orang National Park

The Orang National Park is currently facing a leadership crisis, operating without a Divisional Forest Officer for over a month. This situation has raised significant concerns among local nature enthusiasts regarding the management and conservation efforts within the park. With the tourism season underway and critical wildlife populations at stake, community members are urging the Assam Government to appoint a full-time DFO. The park, known for its one-horned rhinos and Royal Bengal tigers, is a vital ecological area that requires effective leadership to ensure its preservation and management. Local leaders are questioning the delay in appointing a permanent officer, highlighting the urgent need for action.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 12, 2026, 11:32 IST

Leadership Crisis at Orang National Park

A file image of Orang National Park (AT Photo)

MANGALDAI, Nov 12: The Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve, part of the Mangaldai Wildlife Division, has been operating without a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and Field Director for over a month, raising alarms among local nature enthusiasts.

This troubling situation highlights the apparent neglect by the State Government and senior officials within the Forest Department regarding the park's management. Pradipta Baruah, the previous DFO and Field Director, retired on September 30, leaving an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) to temporarily oversee both critical roles. This transition coincided with the commencement of the new tourism season on October 1.

Additionally, the department has initiated a monkey census in Darrang district starting November 4. The absence of a permanent DFO is compounded by the vacancy of the regular Beat Officer position for the Mangaldai Territorial Forest Beat.

Following the transfer of Beat Officer Jon Das in July, a temporary officer from the Rangia office has been managing the sole Forest Department office in Mangaldai. Local residents have voiced concerns that the lack of a full-time DFO hampers effective governance, as the ACF lacks the administrative authority of a DFO.

Community members are urging the Assam Government to expedite the appointment of a full-time DFO. Notably, Orang National Park is renowned for its population of one-horned rhinos and Royal Bengal tigers, housing over 100 rhinos and 28 tigers, along with other significant wildlife such as Asiatic elephants, wild buffaloes, endangered pygmy hogs, and critically endangered Bengal floricans.

Situated on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River, the park spans 280 square kilometers. It was designated as a game reserve in 1915, became a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, was declared a national park on April 13, 1999, and was recognized as a tiger reserve in 2016.

“A vital and sensitive wildlife habitat, along with an important forest revenue-generating office, has been left without a permanent leader,” lamented Bhargab Kumar Das, a former honorary wildlife warden and president of the Mangaldai Media Circle. Shrawan Jha, president of the Kharupetia Press Club, and Bipul Mahanta, chief advisor of Asomiya Yuva Mancha, have also expressed their worries regarding the ongoing absence of a departmental head and questioned the delay in appointing a permanent officer by the Assam Forest Department.