New Delhi: The Nagaland government has declared the Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary as an elephant reserve making it the 30th reserve for jumbos in the country.

An important reserve in North Eastern States, Singphan Elephant Reserve has huge tracts of forest, strategically located in contiguity with the Abhaypur Reserve Forest of Assam which is frequented by the moving herds of elephants, an official statement said.

"The Government of Nagaland has declared Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary as 'Singphan Elephant Reserve' with the approval of Government of India on 16th August 2018," it said.

Elephant distribution habitat in Nagaland is a continuous stretch starting from Peren district running all along the foothills north westerly until Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.

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"This stretch which is a traditional elephant bearing area got broken at various points as a result of which only few elephants are found isolated pockets without having permanent corridor.

"The creation of reserve will give better protection and conservation of elephants in the state," the statement said.

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted, "Nagaland's #SingphanWildlifeSanctuary made India's 30th #ElephantReserve. Nagaland govt notified the Reserve with the approval of @moefcc. It is a key reserve in the NE states, strategically located in contiguity with Abhaypur Reserve Forest of Assam. @CmoNagland."

The Singphan Elephant Reserve is located in Mon district of Nagaland and spreads over an area of 5825 acres (2357 hac).

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The Singphan Elephant Reserve is located at about 65 km from Mon, the district capital town of the state.

"The declaration of the Singphan Elephant Reserve in Nagaland will boost the elephant conservation in the country especially north eastern region.

"As per recent census report (2017), Nagaland has population of around 446 elephants," it said.

The creation of new reserve will also result in protection and conservation of the elephant population and also ensure that this population remains healthy and viable, it added.

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