Context: Long-term survival prospects of the newly-declared Behali Wildlife Sanctuary continue to hang in balance with Arunachal Pradesh laying claim to four ‘encroached’ portions of the sanctuary (Dikalmukh, Baliso, Dipik and Passo)in Biswanath district and Assam contesting the claim as unfounded
About Behali Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Behali Reserved Forest, located in the Biswanath district of Assam is a patch of semi-evergreen forest in the foothills of Eastern Himalayas
- It lies between the two famous protected areas, the Nameri National Park on its west and Kaziranga National Park on its south comprising a total area of 140 km2. Hence it acts as an important corridor for migration of several species between these protected areas mainly the elephants
- On 4 May 2022, In The Assam Gazette, The Governor of Assam proposed to declare the Behali Reserved Forest as a Wildlife Sanctuary
- It is also recognized as an Important Bird Area in 1994 and a Key Biodiversity Area in 2004.