Boundary Disputes Threaten Conservation Efforts in Dehing Patkai National Park

The ongoing boundary disputes between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh are significantly impacting conservation efforts in Dehing Patkai National Park. With illegal encroachments expanding and the Assam Government's inaction, experts warn of a looming conservation crisis. The park's management faces challenges due to insufficient infrastructure and resources, which hinder effective protection against illegal activities. Conservationists are calling for urgent measures, including the establishment of a separate Wildlife Division and improved access to the encroached areas. This situation not only threatens the park's biodiversity but also risks escalating tensions between the two states. Read on to discover the full extent of the challenges facing Dehing Patkai National Park.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2025, 11:15 IST

Impact of Boundary Disputes on Conservation

Guwahati, July 7: The Assam Government's failure to address ongoing boundary disputes with Arunachal Pradesh is having a detrimental effect on conservation efforts in Dehing Patkai National Park.

The national park's eastern boundary is marked by natural features like the Namsang and Dirok rivers, while the southern boundary lacks such demarcations, extending from the Hukanjuri beat office to Nakphan in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to the Forest Department, approximately 145 hectares of land has been illegally occupied by Arunachal Pradesh for an extended period, yet the Assam Government has not taken the issue seriously.

Historically, when the national park was designated, the Arunachal Pradesh Government requested clarification on whether the park overlapped with disputed border areas. The Assam Government's reluctance to investigate led to the omission of this issue from discussions aimed at resolving border conflicts.

Forest Department officials have indicated that if the situation remains unresolved, it will continue to harm the national park.

“Encroachment on the Nakphan side is increasing, with the Arunachal Pradesh Government attempting to legitimize its presence through various construction projects. The Assam Government has been overly lenient regarding these developments. If this continues, it could lead to a conservation crisis in the national park,” they warned.

Another experienced Forest official suggested that the Government should either reclaim the encroached land or adjust the park's boundaries to exclude the affected area.

“The Assam Government's inaction will only exacerbate illegal settlements, a trend that has persisted for years. It may be wise to revise the national park's boundaries to exclude the encroached regions,” he stated.

A review of the gazette notification for Dehing Patkai National Park (no. FRW.5/2018/386 dated 15.06.2021) reveals that the area in question is encroached upon by Arunachal Pradesh, featuring tea gardens, roads, RCC bridges, beetle-vine plantations, and human settlements.

Sources noted that this area was previously part of the second edition of Jeypore Reserve Forest, covering about 145.5 hectares.

The seriousness of the situation is underscored by the fact that, until 1996, only one hectare was encroached upon, whereas now the entire 145.5 hectares is affected.

Local forest officials were aware of the encroachment but failed to address it during the initial notification process. “If not resolved quickly, this could escalate border tensions with Arunachal Pradesh and hinder conservation efforts in the newly designated Dehing Patkai National Park,” they cautioned.

The lack of access to the encroached area from Assam, along with insufficient logistics and manpower, has hindered protective measures.

“There is an urgent need for a motorable road along the Assam-Arunachal border from Hukanjuri to Nakphan to effectively combat illegal logging and hunting activities from the Arunachal side,” said conservationist Mridupaban Phukon, who has extensively studied the Dehing Patkai region.

Conservation advocates are also calling for the establishment of a separate Wildlife Division to manage the national park effectively. Currently, the park management lacks adequate infrastructure, facing persistent challenges such as manpower shortages, absence of forest camps in strategic locations, and insufficient basic amenities, which compromise security.

Rampant illegal hunting and logging continue to pose significant threats within the Dehing Patkai area, including the national park.

“The destruction is ongoing, and we urge the Forest Minister to take immediate action to equip the Forest staff with the necessary resources for enhanced patrolling,” Phukon added.