Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park

Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park is a national park located in the Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam, India, encompassing parts of the Chirang and Kokrajhar district.^[1] Covering an area of 316.29 square kilometres, it is part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve and serves as a crucial ecological corridor connecting four other protected areas.^[2] The park is situated along the Indo–Bhutan border and supports a wide diversity of flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered species.^[3]

Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Dichorragia nesimachus at Ultapani Division of Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park
Location	Chirang and Kokrajhar district, Bodoland, Assam
Nearest city	Kokrajhar
Area	316.29 sq. km
Established	2025
Governing body	Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India Government of Assam

The Government of Assam formally approved the creation of the national park during a Cabinet meeting held on 16 February 2025.^[4][5] It was officially notified as a national park by the Governor of Assam on 5 March 2025, under the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park is the third national park in Bodoland and the eighth in Assam.^[6]

The park is home to more than 460 species of butterflies and serves as a habitat for several rare and protected species, including the Golden langur, One-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asian elephant etc.^[7]

Etymology

The park is named after Sikhna Jwhwlao, also known as Joulia Dewan, a legendary Bodo warrior and leader who resisted British colonial forces during the Duar War between Bhutan and the British East India Company in 1864–1866.^[8] His capital, known as Sikhnajhar or Chiknajhar, was located in the present-day Ultapani Reserve, which now falls within the boundaries of the national park. This location is regarded as sacred by the local Bodo community. Traditional religious festivals such as Bathou Puja and Kherai Puja are conducted annually at the site.