Guwahati: Assam is set to develop a state-of-the-art Wildlife Safari and Rescue Centre in Dibrugarh district at an estimated investment of Rs 534 crore, aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation, research, rescue operations and eco-tourism in the state.
Assam Forest and Climate Change Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah reviewed the proposed project on Sunday during a meeting with senior officials of the Forest Department and other concerned departments.
The facility is proposed to be developed across nearly 235 hectares of the Namdang Reserved Forest under the Tingkhong Assembly constituency. The site is located around 20 km from Dibrugarh town and approximately 30 km from Dibrugarh airport.
The project will be executed by the Assam Public Works Department (PWD) in two phases.
The first phase, estimated to cost Rs 259 crore, will focus on establishing dedicated enclosures for key wildlife species, including tigers, rhinoceroses, leopards and bears. This phase will also feature a veterinary hospital and a rescue centre for the treatment, rehabilitation and management of wild animals.
The second phase, with an estimated cost of Rs 275 crore, will introduce facilities for exotic species and strengthen the research component of the project. Proposed facilities include enclosures for Asiatic lions, cheetahs, zebras and hippos, besides an advanced research centre.
According to the state government, the proposed facility is intended to serve as a major centre for wildlife conservation and rescue while also promoting eco-tourism and creating employment opportunities in the region.
Its location near Dibrugarh town and the airport is expected to make the facility accessible to tourists and visitors, potentially boosting wildlife tourism in Upper Assam.
The project is part of Assam’s broader efforts to expand wildlife conservation infrastructure and establish dedicated facilities for the care, treatment, rehabilitation and management of wild animals.
Once developed, the centre is expected to combine wildlife rescue and conservation facilities with research and tourism infrastructure, adding a new dimension to Assam’s wildlife management and eco-tourism landscape.