Cooch Behar, 28th December: Patlakhawa of the district is all set to become the third habitat of rhinos. State Forest Minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who visited the Patlakhawa Vananchal area on Wednesday, said this after a meeting. North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha, Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad Chairman Umakant Barman, and members of the local Joint Forest Management Committee were present at the meeting.
The forest department has taken the initiative to bring rhinos within the next year. Patlakhawa forest area is about 15 km away from Cooch Behar where there is Rasmati lake. Earlier, Forest Minister Vinay Krishna Barman had taken the initiative to build grasslands, cottages, and watch towers for rhinos. However, the project stalled midway which is now being resumed.
Minister Jyotipriya Mallick said that the problem of this forest area has been resolved. Work will start to commence soon in the Vananchal forest area. By making a habitat for rhinos, the surrounding area will be developed, and the number of tourists will rise. Along with rhinoceros, animals like leopards, deer, and many more will also be brought. No problems or hurdles are anticipated because the locals’ representative and the officer are looking into the matter. Rhinos will be expected to be brought within a year.