Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation

What is Assam Project on Forest and biodiversity Conservation?

• The Kaziranga project is a part of a larger Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) for which the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has committed funding of €80.2 million for a 10-year period, between 2014-2024.
• The project conceptualised the reforestation of 33,500 hectares of land and the training of 10,000 community members in alternate livelihoods by 2024.
• APFBC Society was created by State Government of Assam as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• The Society has the mandate for planning, implementation, monitoring, coordination and management of all the activities proposed under the project.
• With French and Indian technical and financial support, the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership will facilitate partnership activities for interested natural parks of the Indo-Pacific region. These activities include biodiversity conservation, wildlife management and engagement with local communities.
• Kaziranga National Park
  • Located in the State of Assam it is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
  • It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
  • Protection status:
    • It was declared a national park in 1974.
    • UNESCO declared it a world heritage site in 1985.
    • It became a Tiger Reserve in 2006.
    • It is also recognized as an ‘Important Bird Area’ by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species

 

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Q1) Which is the largest and smallest national park in India?

Hemis National Park is the largest national park with an area of 4,400 km², while, South Button Island National Park is the smallest with an area of just 5.19 km².

Source: Indian Express