The Himanta Biswa Sarma led Assam cabinet on Wednesday has taken a resolution to drop former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park in Assam and rename the same as Orang National Park.
Along with several other major decisions, the Cabinet meeting hold on Wednesday decided to rename the National Park to honour the sentiment of the Adivasi and tea communities as the term ‘Orang’ is originated with the communities mentioned.
Assam Cabinet Minister and Spokesperson to Government of Assam Pijush Hazarika said that the decision has been taken to honour the Adivasi and tea communities as representatives of the communities had requested the Assam CM to do so during a meeting, a few days ago.
“Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park to be renamed as Orang National Park, taking cognisance of the demands of Adivasi and tea tribe communities,” a government statement said.
Located on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra river, the National Park is spread over 78.80 square kilometres in Darrang and Sonitpur districts. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and a national park in 1999. Late Tarun Gogoi led then Congress Government, in 2005, renamed the national park after the name of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The Orang National park is home to wild animals like One-Horned Rhinos, wild Elephants, Royal Bengal Tiger, Pygmy Hog and many more.
The Congress leaders have criticised the government alleging that the Assam Government has dishonoured the former Prime Minister by removing his name. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has said that Congress will again rename it to Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park once it comes to power. While former state Congress chief Ripun Borah alleged that the BJP led government has dishonoured the former Prime Minister.
