Guwahati, June 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that a black panther had been photographed by a camera trap for the first time in the Dulung Reserve Forest in Lakhimpur district, marking a significant development in the state’s wildlife conservation efforts.
The Chief Minister shared the information on social media platform X and described the sighting as a notable achievement for forest authorities and conservationists. The elusive melanistic leopard, popularly known as the black panther, is rarely encountered in the wild, making the camera-trap image an important record.
According to the Chief Minister, the presence of the animal highlighted the ecological richness of the Dulung Reserve Forest and reflected the effectiveness of sustained efforts to protect wildlife habitats and preserve forest ecosystems across Assam.
Conservation experts consider the existence of apex predators such as the black panther to be a sign of a healthy and balanced ecosystem. The latest discovery has therefore reinforced the importance of continuing habitat protection and wildlife conservation measures in the state’s reserve forests.
The sighting has been viewed as another encouraging milestone in Assam’s efforts to safeguard its rich biodiversity and natural heritage.
