Rajiv Gandhi’s name to be dropped from Orang National Park

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• Sep 2, 2021 | moderator

Guwahati: Assam Government has decided to drop former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi's name from the Orang National Park.

“During a recent interaction between Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and prominent members of the Adivasi and tea-tribe community, they had demanded removal of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the Orang National Park,” said parliamentary affairs minister Pijush Hazarika.

“Since the name Orang is associated with the sentiments of the Adivasi and tea-tribe community, the cabinet has decided to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park as Orang National Park,” he added.

Orang National Park is spread across a total area of 78.80 sq km, on the North Bank of River Brahmaputra. It is the oldest forest reserve in the state. It was named a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and declared a national park in 1999.

In August 2005, the Congress government headed by Tarun Gogoi had decided to rename Orang National Park after the late Prime Minister despite resistance from local groups.