Guwahati: A proposed Rs 534-crore safari and rescue centre in Dibrugarh could expand Assam’s wildlife rescue and care infrastructure while supporting research and eco-tourism in upper Assam.Forest and environment minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said on Monday the centre would come up across around 235 hectares of Namdang Reserve Forest, about 20 km from Dibrugarh town and 30 km from Dibrugarh airport.He said the project will be implemented in two phases through Assam public works department (APWD).Phase I, estimated at Rs 259 crore, would include dedicated enclosures for tigers, rhinoceroses, leopards and bears, as well as a veterinary hospital and a rescue centre. The facilities are intended to support the treatment, rehabilitation and scientific management of rescued and captive wildlife.Phase II, estimated at Rs 275 crore, would focus on research infrastructure and facilities for species such as Asiatic lions, cheetahs, zebras and hippos.The proposed facility is expected to bring wildlife conservation, veterinary care, research, education and tourism infrastructure together at one location. Its proximity to Dibrugarh town and the airport should also make it accessible to tourists.The minister said the project was part of state govt’s broader effort to strengthen Assam’s position in wildlife conservation while ensuring that conservation-related infrastructure creates economic opportunities for local communities.He said improved rescue and veterinary facilities would strengthen efforts to protect wildlife, while responsible eco-tourism could generate employment and support livelihoods in areas surrounding the conservation landscape.The project is expected to become a wildlife tourism and conservation hub in upper Assam, complementing the state’s existing network of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and other conservation areas.
