Context: Acting on several PILs on alleged illegal coal mining in and around the Dehing Patkai rainforests, the Gauhati High Court has directed the District Judge, Tinsukia to carry out a survey of the areas mentioned in the petitions and ascertain the same
About Dehing Patkai:
- Dehing Patkai National Park is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam and covers an area of 231.65 km2 (89.44 sq mi) rainforest.
- It is located in the Dehing Patkai Landscape which is a dipterocarp-dominated lowland rainforest. The rainforest stretches for more than 575 km2 (222 sq mi) in the districts of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo.
- The forest further spreads over in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Dehing Patkai National Park harbours the largest stretch of lowland rainforests in India.
- Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as Dehing Patkai Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant.
- Dehing-Patkai as a potential wildlife sanctuary was identified in late 1980s during a primate survey as "Upper Dehing Wildlife Sanctuary".Subsequently during a study on white-winged wood duck in early 1990s, it was discovered as a globally important site for this duck and recommended to be upgraded to "Upper Dehing National Park.