Bodoland: The Paradise Unexplored!

BODOLAND, popularly known as the “Hidden Paradise of Assam” is located on the north bank of Brahmaputra river in Assam in the North-East India by the foothills of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh; inhibited predominantly by Bodo language speaking distinct ethnic groups: Boros, Assamese, Rabbha, Koch-Rajbongshi, Garo, and other indigenous Mongoloid tribes.

Bodoland, an autonomous region known as the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD), within the state of Assam, was officially formed as per the MOS signed between the Government of India, the Government of Assam and the Bodo Liberation Tigers (BLT) on February 10, 2003. The total Area of Bodoland is approximately 8,970 square kms and there are over 3082 villages in Bodoland. There are four districts in Bodoland viz: Kokrajhar, Chiran, Bagsha and Udalguri.

The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) which consists of 49 elected members, with its capital city ‘Kokrajhar’, administers the entire BTAD. The members designated as the Member of Council of Legislative Assembly (M.C.L.A) are elected by the people for a five-year term. The head of the council is known as the “Chief”. Mr. Hagram Mohilary is the present Chief of BTC. However, there are 12 Executive Members (EM) who head the different departments of the council.

Today, Bodoland is internationally acclaimed as one of the most promising and regions in the world due to its phenomenal transformation from conflict-zone into peaceful region under the visionary and charismatic leadership of Mr. Hagram Mohilary who is heading the BTC since its formation in 2003. The Father of Bodoland, lt. Mr. Upendrad Nath Brahma is the architect of modern Bodoland who transformed his dreams into reality way back in 1990s.

The concept of ‘Model BTC’, as conceptualized and strategically designed by the council in 2003 – with financial assistance both from the state and the central govt. is paving the way for all-round development in Bodoland. The investment made in infrastructural activities like - transport & communication, small scale industries, education, public health, art and cultural, tourism etc. – are gradually but steadily changing the face of Bodoland from underdevelopment and poverty-stricken region into prosperity and making Bodoland a knowledge-based society.

Truly incredible, owing to its illuminating natural beauty, landscape and diversity of population and culture, today Bodoland provides a myriad of new experiences and excitements to the tourists. The multifarious cultural groups of people with their distinct identity and picturesque cultural legacy, brings riots of cultural festivals and celebrated with great devotion throughout the year. The famous Bagurumba and Kherai dance festival, however enthrall everyone’s heart and mind in Bodoland.

Places of interest in Bodoland: The following insights into Bodoland provides a sneak preview of the places of tourist interests: take a pick and realize the dream destinations of Bodoland.

• Manas National Park: The only Tiger Project in Assam, located in Bagsha district. It’s one of the nine tiger reserves National Park in India. Apart from Tiger, the dense jungles and grasslands of Manas harbour is home to a number of protected species like – leopard, civet, buffalo, pygmy hog, elephants, golden langur, rhinoceros etc.
• Orang National Park: ONP is located in Udlguri district. This park is known as mini-Kaziranga. The total area of this park is 78.81 sq.kms with sixty percent of the area covered with grasslands. The main wildlife attractions of the sanctuary include the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, leopards, sambar, barking deer, tiger, varieties of water birds, green pigeion, florican, goose etc.
• Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary: CWS is located in Kokrahar district of BTAD. The sanctuary has atleast 23 species of animals, 273 species of birds and 173 species of trees. Besides seasonal waterfalls and deep lakes, there are many historical buildings, old caves and while stones are found there.
• Bhairabkunda: It’s in Udalguri district. It’s one of the most beautiful places of Udalguri district on the Assam-Bhutan border. It’s a place of pilgrim and picturesque tourist spot with enormous beauty surrounded by hills, fountains, rivers and greenery.
• Bodoland Kherai Festival: A fifteen-day festival of Bodos, celebrated in the month of November in Udalguri. This festival attracts more than five thousand domestic and foreign tourists, etc.