Bordoloni Gaon Panchayat to Establish Village Forest in Assam

In a groundbreaking decision, the residents of Bordoloni Gaon Panchayat in Assam's Dhemaji district have resolved to convert 1,044 bighas of government grazing land into a village forest. This initiative, aimed at preserving the area's rich biodiversity, was announced during a special village meeting held in conjunction with Wildlife Week. With support from local authorities, the villagers plan to develop the Maguwahola Village Forest, which is home to diverse wildlife, including deer and numerous bird species. The project highlights the importance of conserving natural habitats amidst growing population pressures and human intervention.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 2, 2026, 14:24 IST

Initiative to Create a Village Forest

A village meeting under Bordoloni Gaon Panchayat in Dhemaji District has resolved to designate 1,044 bighas of grazing land at Maguwahola as ‘Maguwahola Village Forest’ (Photo: @ranojpeguassam / X)

Guwahati, Oct 2: In a significant move, the residents of Bordoloni Gaon Panchayat in Assam's Dhemaji district have opted to convert 1,044 bighas of government grazing land into a village forest.

This decision was made during a special village assembly held on Friday, coinciding with the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan and Wildlife Week, aimed at safeguarding the region's rich biodiversity and natural environment.

With support from the Dhemaji district administration and the Forest Department, the villagers plan to cultivate the proposed Maguwahola Village Forest, which is a habitat for deer, various bird species, and a range of aquatic life.

The meeting saw the participation of Dhemaji MLA and Minister Ranoj Pegu, MP Pradan Baruah, and Chaiduar MLA Jiwan Gogoi, along with other notable figures. Pegu sought the villagers' approval to officially designate the grazing land as a village forest as part of the Sanskar Utsav and Village Development Plan.

Emphasizing the significance of this initiative, Pegu noted that the area, whose name suggests the existence of a wetland, serves as a crucial habitat for numerous wildlife species and requires preservation.

“Almost 1,000 bighas of grazing land within Bordoloni Gaon Panchayat are being transformed into a village forest to protect the region. The name Maguwahola indicates the presence of a beel, and it is home to various fauna, including deer. It is vital that we safeguard this natural habitat,” Pegu stated.

Debojit Phukan from Megamix Nature Club highlighted the ecological importance of the area, mentioning that despite the pressures of population growth and human activities, some natural ecosystems still thrive and support rich biodiversity.

“As the population expands, human influence over natural areas increases. Nevertheless, certain regions maintain their natural essence and ecological diversity. These locations attract a variety of wildlife, making their conservation crucial. Today's initiative is focused on preserving and protecting this natural heritage,” Phukan remarked.

He further noted that Maguwahola is home to over 150 bird species, with more than half being resident birds, while around 30 species are migratory. The wetland also hosts approximately 30 to 40 fish species, highlighting its ecological significance.