Guwahati, Feb. 6: The Union ministry of environment and forests has rejected the Assam forest department’s proposal for realignment of the boundary of Dehing-Patkai wildlife sanctuary.

The decision was taken by the committee on rationalisation of boundaries of national parks and sanctuaries in New Delhi recently.

The state forest department had requested the Centre to exclude the Buridehing river from the sanctuary’s map and instead keep its inner bank as the boundary of the sanctuary.

The report of the committee revealed that a senior official of the ministry of environment and forests had visited the sanctuary in January for a site inspection.

The official observed that the area under the sanctuary had one of the finest lowland evergreen forests and was a hotbed of biodiversity.

The committee’s report said the Buridehing passes through two reserve forests — Upper Dehing West and Dirok — and was important in maintaining the eco-system of these forests.

“The possibility of Buridehing not being part of sanctuary was ruled out as there are reserve forests on either side of the river,” the report said.

The official also observed that a 2km stretch of the river, not part of the sanctuary, could be used for fishing activities in a sustainable manner.

The 111.19 square km sanctuary is located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts.