Guwahati, May 24 -- The Assam government has made Cabinet approval mandatory for any proposed changes to the status or boundaries of the state's protected areas.

The new directive, issued by the state's Environment, Forest & Climate Change Department, tightens the process for declaring, amending, or de-notifying vital ecological zones.

This includes Reserved Forests, Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, Conservation Reserves, and Eco-Sensitive Zones across Assam.

According to an official memorandum, modifications under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, carry far-reaching implications for Assam's biodiversity.

Consequently, all proposals concerning the declaration, modification, or de-notificati...