Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project in Assam | 21 Apr 2026

Why in News?  

The Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project in Assam’s Dibrugarh district is facing infrastructure and management challenges and is awaiting revival despite its strong ecological and tourism potential.  

Key Points  

• Location: The Sasoni Merbeel Eco-Tourism Project is located near Naharkatia in Dibrugarh district of Assam.  
  • It is a wetland ecosystem spread across about 1,550 bighas and is known for its rich biodiversity.  
  • The area is often referred to as the “Island of Silence” because of its serene natural environment.  
• Biodiversity Hotspot: The wetland hosts more than 200 species of birds and about 250 varieties of flora, making it an important ecological habitat.  
• Objective: The project was originally developed to promote sustainable tourism and generate livelihood opportunities for local communities.  
• Financial Support: The project initially received financial assistance of more than ₹1 crore from Oil India Limited, along with government support.  
• Challenges: Poor transport connectivity, limited promotion and accessibility issues have affected tourism growth at the site.  
  • Tourist cottages are reportedly not being fully utilised, while basic amenities and services require improvement to meet visitors’ expectations.  
• Need for Strategic Intervention: Experts emphasise that better planning, infrastructure improvement and effective management are needed to revive the project.