Reliable & Robust Connectivity

 Air-Guwahati Airport (Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport) has highest growth of passengers in the
country. About 600 flights operate every week.
 Rail- Network of over 2400 kms of rail corridors. Rail connectivity to all major cities of the country.
 Waterways- 891 kms long NW-2 & 121 kms long NW- 16. NATIONAL WATERWAYS 2- The Assam
government aims to develop the rivers of the North East as viable and sustainable Means for cargo and passenger
transportation. The first load of fly ash reached Pandu Port in Assam via Bangladesh, making the longest haulage
in inland water transport movement. DREDGING IN BARAK- Dredging operations for Barak River has been
launched. The Barak River, designated as National Waterways 16, is one of the major rivers of South Assam and
is a part of the Surma - Meghna river system.
 Roadways- Extensive network of roads and highways with over 3800 kms of NHs. Assam is also part of the two
Trans Asian Highway (AH-1 & AH-2).

Location Advantage

 Assam is the gateway to the North Eastern States.

 Strategic Geographic location and a strong connectivity network, makes Assam the ideal staging point for doing
business with the ASEAN countries.
 Over 640 million consumers to its east, over 1000 million consumers to the west and over 155 million to its south.
 Growing economy and increase in purchasing power parity of the population in the catchment present a huge
market.
 Assam shares border with Bangladesh and Bhutan and is also connected to Myanmar terrestrially through
Manipur.

Rich Natural Resources

 Tea- Assam has 1000 tea gardens. It is the largest producer of tea with production of 6 lakh MT annually.
 Crude Oil and Natural Gas- Assam has 1.3 billion MT of proven resources, 4 refineries with capacity of 7.1 MM
TPA 156 billion cu m of Natural Gas reserves.
 Rubber- Ranks 3rd in India with over 51000 ha of cultivation
 Limestone- 670 MMT of proven reserves of high quality cement grade limestone.
 Bamboo- Highest concentration of bamboo in the country contributing to 60% of the Country’s stock.
 Silk- Enjoys Global monopoly in production of Muga or Golden Silk and Eri Silk.
 Medicinal plants- Blessed with more than 952 identified species of medicinal plants.

"O Mur Apunar Dekh" is the State song of Assam. It was written by Lakshminath Bezbarua and attuned
by Kamala Prasad Agarwala. It was officially adopted as the State song of Assam at the Assam Student
Conference held in Tezpur in 1927.
Assam is situated in the North-East of India and is the largest northeastern state in terms of population while
second in terms of area. Assam covers an area of 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq miles). The state is bordered by Bhutan
and the state of Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to the east;
Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, and Bangladesh to the south; and West Bengal to the west. A significant
geographical aspect of Assam is that it contains three of six physiographic divisions of India – The Northern
Himalayas (Eastern Hills), The Northern Plains (Brahmaputra plain), and Deccan Plateau (Karbi Anglong).

Assam lost much of its territory to new states that emerged from within its borders. The British annexed Cachar in
1832 and Jaintia Hills in 1835. In 1874, Assam became a separate province with Shillong as its capital. Sylhet was
merged with East Bengal on partition of India. With the partition and independence of India in 1947, the district of
Sylhet (excluding the Karimganj subdivision) was ceded to Pakistan (the eastern portion of which later became
Bangladesh). 

However, like all other states of India, Assam was also involved in various freedom movements. With the
enthusiastic participation of many courageous activists Assam, Assam became a constituent state of India in 1950.
It saw further reduction of its area when Dewangiri in North Kamrupa was ceded to Bhutan in 1951. The capital of
Assam was formerly Shillong (now the capital of Meghalaya), and later shifted to Dispur, a suburb of Guwahati,
in 1972. The States of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram got their own separate states. 

The ancient era began in the 4th century with the mention of Kamarupa in Samudragupta's inscriptions on the
Allahabad pillar and the establishment of the Kamarupa kingdom.  The medieval era began with the attacks from
the Bengal Sultanate, the first of which took place in 1206 by Bakhtiyar Khilji as mentioned in the Kanai-
boroxiboa rock inscription, after the breakup of the ancient kingdom and the sprouting of medieval kingdoms and
chieftain-ships in its place. The colonial era began with the establishment of British control after the Treaty of
Yandaboo in 1826, and the post-colonial era began in 1947 after the Independence of India.

The first Governor of independent Assam was Sir Muhammad Saleh Akbar Hydari and Chief Minister was
Gopinath Bordoloi who witnessed the foundations laid of Gauhati University (1948), Gauhati High Court (1948)
and Guwahati station of All India Radio (AIR). When Gopinath Bordoloi passed away in 1950, Bishnu Ram
Medhi took over as the next Chief Minister of Assam. During his tenure from 1950 to 1957, the First Five-Year
Plan was started, Panchayat system of governance was introduced and the agricultural sector got more importance.

Bimla Prasad Chaliha was the third chief minister from 1957 to 1970. In 1958th the 66th session of Congress was
held at Jalukbari, Guwahati. The Saraighat Bridge was constructed over the Brahmaputra river (1965), an Oil
refinery was established at Noonmati, Guwahati in 1962 during his time. In 1959-60 the famous language revolt
took place in Assam, and as a result Assamese became the official language of the State and Bengali also enjoyed
the same status in the Cachar District of Barak Valley.

Mohendra Mohan Choudhury assumed the mantle of chief minister in 1970. The foundation of Bongaigaon Petro-
Chemicals, Paper Mill at Jogighopa and Jute factory at Silghat in Nagaon were laid in his tenure. In 1972 Sarat
Chandra Sinha came to power after Congress secured absolute majority. In 1974 the capital was finally shifted to
Dispur in Guwahati. 

The Assam Movement (1979-1985) was a popular movement against illegal immigrants in Assam. The movement,
led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and the All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), developed a
program of protests and demonstration to compel the Indian government to identify and expel illegal, (mostly
Bangladeshisi), immigrants and protect and provide constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards to the
indigenous Assamese people. The agitation programs were largely non-violent, but the Nellie massacre was a case
of extreme violence. The agitation program ended in August 1985 following the Assam Accord, which was signed
by leaders of AASU-AAGSP and the Government of India. 

The Assam Accord (1985) was a Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) signed between representatives of the
Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement in New Delhi on 15 August 1985. A six-year
agitation demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants was launched by the All Assam Students’
Union (AASU) in 1979. It culminated with the signing of the Assam Accord.

Today Assam has an area of 78,438 square kilometers. It consists of thirty three districts and is credited to be the
most populous state in the entire Northeast India.

The climate of Assam is typically ‘Tropical Monsoon Rainforest Climate', with high levels of humidity and heavy
rainfall. People here enjoy a moderate climate all throughout the year, with warm summers and mild winters.
Spring (March–April) and autumn (September–October) are usually pleasant with moderate rainfall and
temperature.

As per the Census 2011, the total population of Assam is 3.12 Cr. Thus the population of Assam forms 2.58
percent of India in 2011. Assam has total population of 31,205,576 in which males were 15,939,443 while females
were 15,266,133.

The total area of Assam is 78,438 square km. Thus the population Density of Assam is 398 per square km which is
higher than the national average of 382 per square km.

Assamese is the major indigenous and official language while Bengali is the official language in the three districts
in the Barak Valley. Assam also has a number of schools with English as the medium of education. As per the
Language Census of 2011, a total of 1, 53, 11,351 people used the Assamese language as their mother tongue and
the language is ranked 12 among the 22 scheduled languages spoken in India. The total literacy rate of Assam is
72.19% according to the 2011 census study. The male literacy rate is 77.85% and the female literacy rate is
66.27% in Assam.

As per the 2011 census, the total population of Assam was 31,169,272. The total population of the state has
increased from 26,638,407 to 31,169,272 in the last ten years with a growth rate of 16.93%. The total population
of Assam is expected to reach 34.18 million by 2021 and 35.60 million by 2026. The Districts with higher
population concentration are Kamrup, Nagaon, Sonitpur, Barpeta, Dhubri, Darrang, and Cachar.

Assam is rich in natural resources. The natural resources of Assam may be classified under the following heads –
mineral, forest, water, and agricultural resources. The State is one of the richest biodiversity zones in the world
and consists of tropical rainforests, deciduous forests, riverine grasslands, bamboo orchards, and numerous
wetland ecosystems.

Assam is famous for its abundant forest resources. A large part of Assam is covered by hills and forests. These
hills and forests contain valuable trees in large quantities. The Dipterocarpus macrocarpus or locally known as the
Hollong tree is recognized as the State Tree of Assam. Assam is remarkably rich in Orchid species and the Foxtail
orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa) also known as the Kopou Phul is the State Flower of Assam. The recently
established Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park boasts more than 500 of the estimated 1,314 orchid
species found in India. Assam, with its vast area under hills and forests, is home to a variety of medicinal herbs
and plants. About 300 types of medicinal herbs and plants are found in abundance in the state with the
Brahmaputra valley alone having 150 varieties of herbs and plants of commercial value.

Assam has wildlife sanctuaries, the most prominent of which are two UNESCO World Heritage sites-the
Kaziranga National Park and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary. There are three other National Parks in Assam namely
Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Nameri National Park, and the Orang National Park. Kaziranga is home to the fast-
disappearing Indian one-horned rhinoceros which has also been recognized as the State Animal of Assam. The
state bird of Assam is the white-winged wood duck.

Assam has abundant mineral resources coal, petroleum; limestone, and natural gas are the principal mineral
resources. It is also the largest producer of crude oil in India. Other minor minerals include magnetic quartzite,
kaolin, sillimanites, iron ore, clay, and feldspar, etc. Oil India Limited (OIL) is the second-largest hydrocarbon
exploration and production Indian public sector company with its operational headquarters in Duliajan, Assam,
India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

The Barak and the Brahmaputra rivers with their innumerable tributaries are the sources of water for Assam. These
rivers supply water for growing different crops and also offer fishing trade. The scope for establishing
hydroelectric power utilizing the water resources in Assam is quite vast.

In Assam, agriculture makes the highest contribution to its domestic sectors, accounting for more than a third of
Assam's income and employs about 69% of the workforce.

Assam has the single largest tea growing area in the world, constituting around one-seventh of the global tea
production. It has its own variety Camellia assamica. The state accounts for over 50 percent of the country’s
overall tea production. The state houses Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC), one of the largest CTC tea auction
centers in the world.
Assam also accounts for a fair share of India’s production of rice, rapeseed, mustard, jute, potato, sweet potato,
banana, papaya, areca nut, and turmeric. Assam is also a home of large varieties of citrus fruits, leaf vegetables,
vegetables, useful grasses, herbs, spices, etc. which are mostly subsistence crops.

Assam Silk denotes the three major types of indigenous wild silks produced in Assam—Golden Muga Silk, White
Pat, and warm Eri silk. The Assam silk industry, now centered in Sualkuchi, is a labor-intensive industry. Assam
enjoys a global monopoly in terms of Muga Silk production. The state accounts for around 95 percent of global
Muga production. Moreover, Assam is the country’s major Eri Silk producer (accounts for 65 percent of the
country’s Eri silk production). Raw Silk production in Assam and Bodoland reached 2,723 MT in the year 2017-
18 (Up to November 2017)

Assam is a major producer of crude oil and natural gas in India. It was the second place in the world (after
Titusville in the United States) where petroleum was discovered. Asia’s first successful mechanically drilled oil
well was drilled in Makum (Assam) way back in 1867. The second oldest oil well in the world still produces crude
oil. One of the biggest public sector oil companies in the country, Oil India Ltd. has its plant and headquarters at
Duliajan. Assam has four oil refineries located at Guwahati, Digboi, Numaligarh, and Bongaigaon with a total
capacity of 7 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes per annum). Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited
(BRPL) is the only S&P CNX 500 conglomerate with a corporate office in Assam.

At current prices, the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam was Rs 2.50 trillion (US$ 37.23 billion) in
2016-17. The GSDP of the state grew at a CAGR (in Rs) of 11.78 percent from 2011-12 to 2016-17. The GSDP is
estimated to have reached Rs 2.48 trillion (US$ 40.1 billion) in 2017-18.

Assam is India’s gateway to the Northeast and acts as a vital link for trade with Southeast Asian countries. It is
well connected by rail, road, ports, and airports. The State has adopted numerous investor-friendly policies to
attract investments & accelerate industrial development.  The North East Industrial Investment Promotion Policy
and the Industrial Policy of Assam facilitate business through fiscal incentives and multi-year concessions to
investors. The Information Technology (IT) Policy and the Tourism Policy of Assam have given special attention
to specific sector development.

On 15 August 2015, three new districts were formed in addition to former 27 districts which are Charaideo, South
Salmara-Mankachar and West Karbi Anglong. On 27 June 2016, Majuli was also declared as a district. Karbi
Anglong is the largest district of Assam with nearly 10,434 square kilometers of undivided area followed by
Sonitpur with an area of 5324 square kilometers. Majuli carved out of the Northern parts of Jorhat is the first river
island district of India.

Assam’s Rich Bio-Diversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms at all levels of organization, from gene through species to higher
taxonomic forms and also includes the variety of ecosystems and habitats as well the processes occurring therein.
Biodiversity is fundamental to the fulfillment of human needs - a biodiversity rich region offers wide options and
opportunities for sustaining human welfare including adoption to changes.
India is one of the 17 Megabiodiverse countries in the world and accounts for 7-8 % of the recorded species. The
State of Assam is a constituent unit of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Region; one of the two biodiversity
“Hot Spots” in the country .The climatic condition and wide variety in physical features witnessed in Assam have
resulted in a diversity of ecological habitats such as forests, grasslands ,wetlands, which harbour and sustain wide
ranging floral and faunal species placing

The word “Assam” has its origin in the Sanskrit Word “Asom” meaning unparalleled or peerless. Indeed Assam is
unparalleled as nature has been uniquely generous in endowing the State with such bounties that Assam is part of
one of the 25 mega diverse region on planet earth.
In his book “Red River and Blue Hills” eminent scholar Hem Barua has written, “to many outsides Assam is no
more than a land of mountains and malaria, earthquake and floods and the Kamakhya Temple. To others, it is a
green woodland where slothful serpents, insidious tigers, wild virulent eyes and clams. Assam to most of the
people is mentally a distant horizon like Bolivia or Peru – less known and more fancied”.
However, today, Assam is not only more fancied, but also known for its ecological diversity, for the range of floral
and faunal species and for the conservation successes achieved. Kaziranga, Manas, Pobitora, Orang, Dibru-
Saikhowa are names recognized world over and bring laurels to the people of this magnificent State.
 
TheBio-spectrum

The climatic conditions cause prevalence of not and highly humid weather in this part of country and coupled with
heterogenic physiography make possible luxuriant growth of a number of plant communities imparting Assam a
distinct identity phytogeographically, many a species are endemic to this region and it is also the center of origin
for commercially important plants including Banana, Citrus, Mango, Zizyphus, and Tea. The array of floristic
richness has prompted many a scholars to describe Assam as the “Biological Gateway” of North East. The eminent
Plant Taxonomist and Plant Geographer Armen L. Takhtajan observed, “Cradle of flowering plants lies in between
Assam and Fiji”.
Diverse Plant Communities
In the “Revised Survey of Forest Types in India”, Champion and Seth categorized as many as fifty one different
forest types/ sub types for this region. But, the species diversity is so spectacular that it becomes often difficult to
clearly identify separate riche to existing plant formations. However, broadly speaking the forest in Assam can be
described into following types/ sub types.
•   TropicalWetEvergreenForests.
•   TropicalSemiEvergreenForests.
•  TropicalMoistDeciduousForests.
•   Sub-tropicalBroadleafHillForests.
•  Sub-tropicalPinForests.
•  LittoralandSwampForests.
•  GrasslandandSavannahs.
Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests are found in the districts of Golaghat, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and in
a narrow stretch in Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts along foot hills. These forests also occur in the southern part
of the State at lower elevations in Borail Range, and in Loharbund, Sonai, Longai and Dholia Reserve Forests in
Cachar and Karimganj Districts.
Hollong (Dipterocarpus macrocarpus), the tallest tree of Assam and also the “State Tree” is the most predominant
constituent of these forests. The associated species are Borpat, Jutuli ,Sam, Dewa sam, Nahar, Teeta chap, Bhelu,
Mekai etc.
Forests in Southern Assam have, however, Dipterocarpus terbinatus(Garjan) in association with Mesua ferrea
(Nahar), Mesua floribunda (Bolong), Michelia glabra (Champ), Palaquium polyanthum (Kathalua) etc.
One witness luxuriant growth of epiphytes and trees with fissured bark support magnificent ornamental orchids of
Assam. Lianas, vines and climbers are plentiful twining round trees in middle canopy. Almost all the tree ferns of
Assam growing majestically in these forests present a treat to the eyes. The undergrowth is dense with both low
shrubs and herbs occupying the space. Canes, palms and bamboos grow along edges of forests.
Tropical Semi Evergreen Forests occur mostly in Hallangapar, Abhoypur, Dilli, Dhansiri, Kholahat, Mayong,
Garbhanga, Rani, Mahamaya, Guma, Haltugaon, Kachugaon, Gali, Pobha, Ranga, Kakoi, Nauduar, Batasipur,
Dohalia, Singla, Longai, Bhuban Pahar, Sonai, Barak and Inner Line Reserve Forests along Northern and Southern
parts of the State.
These forests have mostly medium size trees with few large trees. Shrubs, lianas, climbers, orchids and ferns grow
copiously. At the fringe bamboos and canes occupy the space.
Species association and frequency of their occurrence vary from forest to forest, but the ones commonly found are
Actinodaphne obovata (Petarichawa), Aesculus species (Ramanbih), Artocarpus chama(Sam), Albizia
species(Siris, Sau, Koroi), Anthocephalus chinensis (Kadam), Duabanga grandiflora (Khakan), Castonopsis
species (Hingori, Dhobahingori, Kanchan),Dillenia indica (Ou-tenga), Bauhinia purpurea (Kanchan),
Lagerstroemia species(Jarul, Ajar,Sidha), Magnolia species(Phulsopa, Gahorisopa, Pansopa, Kharikasopa,
Kathalsopa, Duleesopa),Mallotus species(Sinduri, Joral, Dudhloti, Buritokan), Michelia champaca(Teeta campa),
Syzygium species(Paharijam, Mokrajam, Berjamu, Kolajamu, Bogijamu, golapjamu). Schima wallichii
(Bolem,Ghugra), Terminalia species, (Hilikha, Bohera, Bhomora), Trewia nudiflora(Bhelkor), Hatipolia, Holok
etc.
Moist Deciduous Forests can further be described as Sal Forests and Mixed Deciduous Forests. Sal Forests occupy
considerable forest area in the Central and Lower parts of the State in the Districts of Nagaon, Morigaon, Kamrup,
parts of Nalbari and Barpeta, Darrang, Dhubri, Kokrajhar and Goalpara.
In these forests, Sal grows in association with Lagerstroemia species(Jarul, Ajar), Schima Wallichii(Ghugra),
Stereospermum personatum (Paruli), Adina cordifolia (Haldu), Artocarpus species (Sam), Ficus species(Bor,
Dimoru, Dhupbor, Bot, Athabor, tengabor, Lotadioru, Khongaldimoru), Bischofia javanica (Uriam), Gmelina
arborea (Gomari), Michelia champaca(Teeta champa), Terminalia species (Hilikha, Bhomora, Bohera). Toona
ciliate (Poma) etc.
Moist Deciduous Mixed Forests occur at the foot of hills in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Karbi-Angong and N. C. Hills
districts. Trees are mostly deciduous with Sprinkling of few evergreen and semi-evergreen species. Important
plant species growing in these forests include Adina cordifolia9 Haldu), Albizia species(Siris, Kolasiris, Koroi,
Sau) Alstonia scholaris(Satiana), Artocarpus chama (Sam), Careya arborea( Kumbhi), Dalbergia species(Sissoo,
Medelua), Ficus species (Bot, Bor, Dimoru), Lagerstroemia species (Jarul, Ajar), Mallotu species (Senduri, Joral,
Dudhloti) etc.
These forest harbour rich diversity of shrubby and herbaceous ground vegetation. Some of the Reserve Forests
also have teak plantations.
Bordering Moist Deciduous Forests in rain shadow areas are found forests which has been referred to as “Dry
Forests” by Kanjilal. This type of forests are encountered in the Lumding, Langting, Mailongdisa Reserve Forests.
A typical example is the Umananda Island in the middle of Brahmaputra North of Guwahati. Important species
include, Aegle marmelos(Bel), Albizia species(Siris), Cassia fistula(Sonaru), Bombax (Simul), Alstonia
scholaris(Satiana), Ficus species(Bor), Litsea species(Loban, Bagnola, Mezankori, Honwalu,Digloti) Melia
azedarach(Neem), Moringa oleifera(Sajana), Orosylum indicum(Bhatgila), Mallotus species(Senduri), Terminalia
species(Hilikha,Bhomora) etc.
Sub-tropical Broad Leaf Hills forests and Sub-tropical Pine forests occur in the districts of Karbi-Anglong and N.
C. Hills. Species commonly occurring are Alseodaphne petiolaris(Ban-hanwalu), Antidesma bunius, Betula
alnoides, Cleidon speciflorum etc. Higher up pure stands of Pinus kesiya(Khasi-pine) are found particularly in the
Hamren sub-division in Karbi-Anglong district.
Grass land and Savannahs are grass dominated biomes and form the major part of vegetation in Kaziranga
National Park, Pobitora, Orang, Sonai-Rupai, Laokhowa, Barnadi, Burachapori, Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife
Sanctuaries and some part in Manas National Park. Grasslands support important wildlife population in Assam.
Important grasses are Apluda mutica, Phragmatis karka, Sclerostachya fusca, Saccharum species etc. These
species grow gregariously at the onset of monsoon and grow even upto 6 meters tall.
Littoral and Swamp forests have almost lost their identity because of biotic pressure on land. Presently sedges and
grasses form the largest component of vegetation. Important species include Ageratum conyzoides, Alocasia
species, Alpinia species., Amaranthus species., Bacopa species., Blumea species., Bombax species., Crotolaria
species. etc.
The Species Rainbow
Because of its physiography, edaphic conditions and a conducive climatic as well as a number of protected areas,
Assam boasts of profuse diversity of floristic elements.
Altogether 4273 species of vascular plants have been recorded in Assam which constitutes 25.12% of total floristic
wealth of India. The table below gives an account of various groups of vascular plants.

No. of
No. of No. of No. of Enfraspecific
Name of the Plant Group Families Genera Species Taxa Total

Fern Allies 4 6 40 - 40
 Ferns 28 91 311 4 315

Gymnosperms 8 13 21 2 23

Angiosperms Dycolyledous 190 1006 2711 112 2833

Monocolyledons 42 332 1304 38 1072

Total 272 1448 4117 156 4273

In Assam plants belonging to family Poaceae with 303 species form the largest group of vascular plants.
Herbaceous plants make 47.83% of the flora followed by trees (19.97%), shrubs(19.67%) and climbers(12.53%)
Fern and Fern Allies with 315 and 40 species respectively in Assam represent 25.45% and 35.84% of Indian
Pteridophytes. The important species are Psilotum nudum, Huperzia phlegmaria, Huperzia squarrosa and Royal
Ferns e.g. Osmunda regalis, Osmunda japonica and Osmunda claytoniana and majestic tree ferns like Angiopteris
assamica, Angiopteris erecta, Alsophilia species etc.
Gymnosperms
Assam has 23 species of Gymnosperms and include Cycas pectinata, Podocarpaus neriifolia, P. Wallichianus,
Pinus kesia and Genetum gnemon with three varities and G. montanum. These species have restricted distribution
but represent plants of high economic importance as source of timber, pulpwood, resins and turpentine and their
seed as source of food and medicine and leaves as vegetables.
Angiosperms:
Angiosperms form the largest category of plants in Assam with 3895 species. Assam has also 154 species of
primitive Angiosperms better known as “Living fossils” belonging to family Magnoliaceae (19 species),
Schizandraceae (1 species), Annonaceae (45 species), Myristicaceae (7 species), Chloranthaceae (2 species) and
Lauraceae (80 species). Outside Assam only one “Living Fossils” species have been recorded from Bomdi- La in
Arunachal Pradesh.
The important species are Magnolia species., Pachylarnax pleiocarpa, Fissistigma species., Alseodaphne species.,
Cinnamomum species., Litsea species., Michelia species. etc.
Plants belonging to this category are the most economically important plants of Assam and meet the demand for
timber, plywood, pulpwood, furniture, agricultural implements. Leaves of Litsea monopetala, L. cubeba etc. are
used for rearing silkworm.
The Orchids of Assam
In Assam as many as 293 species of Orchids are reported which represent 44.39% of North.East species and
24.42% of species occurring in India.
Orchids as a group of flowering plants exhibit wide range of habits and have specific macro climatic requirements
for their growth, development and regeneration. Assam orchids show all the habits and growth forms found in
Orchidaceous taxa. Mostly they are epiphytes. Goodyera procera and Spiranthis sinesis are adapted to aquatic
habitant whereas Vanilla pilifera and Galeola altissima are climbers.
Orchids grow to their magnificent best in the Evergreen and Semi- Evergreen forest and to some extent in Moist
Deciduous forests. Species belonging to genera Acanthephippium, Anoectochilus, Apostasia, Agrostophyllum,
Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria, Oberonia, Calanthe, Eulophia, Geodorum, Habenaria, Malaxis,
Nephelaphyllum, Vanilla, Zeuxine, Didymoplexis, Galeola, Bulbophyllum, Camarotis are the commonly found
orchids.
Bamboos in Assam
Bamboos have gained considerable importance in the socio-economic life of people in Assam for the variety of
uses they cater to.
Altogether 38 naturally growing species of bamboo are recorded in Assam of which Bamboosa masrtersei is
restricted in distribution to Dibrugarh district. Bamboosa cacharensis, Dinochlora compactiflora, D.india are
restricted to Barak Valley. Chimnobabusa griffithiana and Oxetenanthera parviflora are restricted in distribution to
N.C.Hills. Bambusa rangaensis grows wild in the Ranga R.F. of Lakhimpur district. Bamboosua vulgaris is the
introduced species cultivated throughout Assam as ornamental plant.
Bambusa jaintiana and Melocanna arundiana are the species reported only from Assam.
There are no exclusive bamboo forest in the plains of Assam, bamboo grooves are found mostly along the edge of
Reserve Forests. But pure bamboo forests occur in N.C Hills and Karbi Anglong districts predominated with
Melocanna baccifera and Chimnobambusa griffithiana.
Bamboo is cultivated widely in Assam and every household grows bamboo in its bari land. Commonly cultivated
species are Bambusa balcooa (Bhaluka bamboo), Bambusa tulda (Jati bamboo), Malocanna bacciferra (Muli
bamboo), Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (Koko bamboo) and Dendrocalamus giganteus (Mokalm bamboo).
Cane Diversity
14 species of cane grow in cane brakes in forests of Assam. Calamus flagellum, Calamus floribunadus, Calamus
latifolius are found widely distributed throughout Assam.. Plectomia assamica and Plectomia bractealis are
endemic species.
Medicinal Plant Diversity
Assam is home to a good number of plants having medicinal uses in Aurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic and even
modern medical practices. Quite a few of them are used by traditional village practitioners called Bej and people
respond favourably to these traditional practitioners particularly in rural areas. Altogether, 952 plants species have
been identified which have uses in medical practices in some form or other. Asparagus racemosa (Satmul),
Curcuma aromatica (Ban-haldi), Emblica officinalis (bel), Terminalia species (Hilikha, Bahera), Eugenia
jambolana(Loha-jam),Garcina species (Thekera), Holarrhina antidysentrica (Dudhkuri), Hydnocarpus kurzii
(Chalmugra), Litsea cubeba (Mejankuri), Ocimum species.(Tulsi), Phlogocanthus thyrsiflorus (Titaphul), Piper
longum (pipoli), Saraca indica (Asoka), Wedelia calandulacea (Mahabhringraj), Zinziber officinalis (Ada) are
some of the most commonly used plants in treatment of various aliments. But the list is not exhaustive.
 
Wetlands and Aquatic Plant Diversity
Assam has more fresh water wetlands then any other state in the North Eastern Region. The two major drainage
systems of Assam-the Brahmaputra and the Barak and in the flood plains of these river systems exist patches of
marshy depressions and swamps as well as perennial water bodies of varying shape, size and depth called locally
as beels, haors, jalah, doloni, hola, pitoni etc. Man made tanks like Joysagar, Sibsagar, Dighalipukhuri, Jorpukhuri,
Hazarapukhuri, Rajhuwa Borpukhuri etc. were also dug by ancient Rulers of Assam. There are an estimated 3513
beels and hoars 1,85,623 ponds and tanks and one reservoir in Assam. Deepor beel near Guwahati is a Ramsar
site. Besides Deepor beel and some others mentioned above wetlands of importantce are Chandubi, Rata, Sohola,
Taralipather, Phokolai, Mer, Sonbeel, Jamjing, Sagunpara, Motapung, Sarlane, Sareswar, Roumari, Khalihamari,
Goranga, Sapekhati, Koladuar etc.
The aquatic plants species of Assam belongs to diverse habits and have distinctive characteristics. More than 100
such aquatic species have been identified and they can be described into following broad categories.
1.    Free floating hydrophytes: Eichhornia cressipes, Pistia stratioles, Lemna mino etc.
2.    Suspended submersed hydrophytes: Ceratophyllum demersum, Utricularia gibba etc.
3.    Anchored submerged hydrophytes: Hydrilla, Potomogeton, vallisnaria etc.
4.    Anchored hydrophytes with floating leaves: Nelumbo, Euryle etc.
5.    Anchored hydrophytes with floating shoots: Ludwigia, Ipomea etc.
6.    Emergent amphibious hydrophytes: Sagittaria, Scrirpus.
7.    Wetland hydrophytes: Cyperus, Hygrophylla etc.
 
Endemic Flora
Endemic flora are plants which occur in a restricted area. Altogether 165 species of plants have been recorded
which are restricted in distribution to certain pockets in Assam, though some of them show extended destruction in
the N.E. Region and elsewhere in India. However about 100 such species have distribution restricted to Assam
only. These include trees e.g. Accacia gageana, Adiantum assamicum, Alseodaphne andersonii, Alseodaphane
khasyana, Angiopteris assamica, Cedrela fabrifuga, Cinnamomum cacharensis, Coelogyne assamica, Combretum
wallichii, Dinochloa indica, Diospyros cacharensis, Dipterocarpus mannii, Eugenia cyanophylla, bamboos e.g.
Bambusa cacharensis, Bambusa mastersii, Chimnobambusa griffitheana, orchids e.g. Bulbophyllum elassonotum,
Bulbophyllum vireus, Dendrobium assamicum etc.
Rare and Endangered Species:
From all available account following categories of threatened plants recognized by the IUCN have been reported
from Assam.
Extinct: Bambusa mastersii, Cleisostoma arietinum, Cyperus corymbosus, Dendrobium assamicum, Dendrobium
aurantiacum, Hetaeria anomala, Liparis stachyurus and Sapria himalayana. Paphiopedilum specerianum is reported
to be extinct in wild.
Besides the above; 284 species of plants are observed to be critically endangered, 149 species as endangered, 58
species as vulnerable, 13 species as near threatened.
 
The Rich Faunal Diversity
Assam is part of the transitional zone between the Indian, Indo- Malayan and Indo- Chinese Biographical regions.
Favourable climate, topographic and edaphic factors support luxuriant growth of diverse plant communities and
create varied habitats. The Wet Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Moist Deciduous, Wet Savannah and riparian forest
as well as extensive network of river systems and swamps , marshes and wetlands provide ideal conditions and
suitable habitat for sustenance of wide variety of fauna be it mammals, primates, reptiles, amphibians, fishes,
mollusks , birds, butterflies, moths etc. With existence of one of the most diverse faunal population; Assam
provides the gateway for spread of both oriental and Palaearctic fauna to other parts of the country.
 
Mammalian Diversity
Assam forms the western most boundary for the Indo-Chinese species including primates and the easternmost
limit of several peninsular mammalian fauna. The distributional extent of several Indian species including clawless
otter, the spotted deer, the swamp deer, the stone marlin, the hispid hare, the great Indian one horned rhinoceros,
the pigmy hog etc. have terminated in Assam plains. The distributional range of several Indo-Chinese fauna gets
its sustenance from this region. Mention can be made of its sustenance from this region. Mention can be made of
such species like clouded leopard, the marbled cat, the golden cat, the spotted linsang, the large Indian civet, the
binturong, the crab eating mongoose, the ferret badger, the hog badger, the hoary bamboo rat, the bay bamboo rat
etc .Assam is home to all the primate species found in the North Eastern region. Besides, many of the relict
mammalian fauna of peninsular India particularly those occurring in the Western Ghats have close relationship
with Assam and N.E region and therefore undoubtedly Assam holds a key place in the evolutionary process of
divergence of mammalian fauna in India. Assam’s mammalian diversity is represented by 193 species which are
widely distributed in this region. But of late some of the species like one horned rhinoceros, water buffalo, pigmy
hog, swamp deer, golden langur, hoolock gibbon have their distribution limited to isolated pockets and protected
areas.
 
Primate Diversity
Out of 15 Indian primate species 9 are found in Assam. Hoolock gibbon is the only ape found in India. The other
primate species are golden langur, capped monkey, rhesus macaque, pigtail macaque, stump tailed macaque,
Assamese macaque, and slow Lorries. Golden langur or “Sonali Bandar” as it is known locally is confined
between Sankosh river in the west; Manas in the east; Brhmaputra in the south and mountains in Bhutan in the
north. Pigtail macaque and stumped tailed macaque locally known as Gahorinejia Bandar and “Senduiria Bandar”
respectively are distributed in the Eastern, central and southern part of the state. Rhesus macaque, capped monkey
and Assamese macaque are more or less distributed through the State. Assamese macaque and Rhesus monkeys
are also found in villages and in urban areas. Most of the primates are predominately arborcal in nature but Rhesus
monkey, Assamese macaque and stump tailed macaque are partly terrestrial also. Slow Lorries is the only
prosimian found in Assam and the N.E. region. Locally known as “Lajuki Bandar” they are solitary animals and
obligate canopy dwellers.. Because of the habitant loss and fragmentation the primates are facing serious threat to
their survival.
 
Avian Diversity
Assam is one of the “endemic bird areas” in the world. With 950 bird species the State is home to 53.5% of the
bird species found in the Indian Sub- Continent, 17 species of birds are endemic to Assam and include Manipur
Bush Quail, Marsh Babbler, Snowy throated Babbler, Tawny breasted Wren Babbler, Blyth’s Tragopan, Beautiful
Sibia, Grey sibia, Black breasted Parrotbill, Chestrunt breasted partridge, Rusty breasted shortwig etc. 45 species
of birds from Assam find mention in the Indian Red Data Book and include white winged wood duck, Blyth’s
Tragopan, Greater Adjutant, lesser Adjutant, Leser whitefronted Goose, Merbled Teal, Beer’s Pochard, Palla’s Sea
Eagle, Greater spotted Eagle, Green Peafowl, White rumped vulture, longbilled vulture etc.
 
Reptilian Diversity
Assam’s varied physiography and habitant conditions support a rich variety of reptilian population. Gangetic
gharial, 19 species of tortoises and 77 species of snakes and lizards are found in the state.
Amphibian Diversity:
Assam and other parts of the N.E. region have 70 species of Amphibions reported from the region.. Gangenophis
fulleri and Ichthyphis garoensis are endemic to Assam.
 
Fish Diversity
The Brahmaputra and Barak river system along with their tributaries and flood plain wetlands locally known as
beels provide very condusive habitant for an array of fish species, Assam and other parts of N.E. region is
recognized as one of the hot spots of fresh water fish biodiversity. 197 food, sports and ornamental fish species are
reported from the region of which 185 are reported from Assam. The important ornamental fish species are colisa,
Nemacheilus, Danio, Botia and Chaca. Commercially important fish species include, Rohu, Ktla, Pabha,Pabda
Chital, Magur, Singi, Sol, etc. Over exploitation is posing serious threats to fish diversity and 25 species are
identified as threatened.
Molluscan Diversity:
The river systems and extensive flood plains also harbour fresh water mollusks. So far 39 species of freshwater
snails have been reported from Assam of which 10 species are used as food.
 
Butterfly Diversity
These are amongst most beautiful creatures on earth. Around 1500 species of butterflies are reported from India of
which nearly half are reported from Assam and N.E. India. The Swallowtail butterflies occupy an important place
and the IUCN has identified the entire N.E. Region as Swallowtail rich zone under “Swallowtail Conservation
Action Plan”. Butterflies play an important role in pollination of plants and besides being important aesthetically
they play important role in biodiversity conservation.
 
Diversity of Moths
Moths are also beautiful creatures and in Assam about 387 species of moths are reported. Most of the moth species
are distributed throughout the State .
 
The Protected Areas Network in Assam
The Protected area Network in Assam occupies 3925-sq. km. area and constitute about 5 % of the State’s
geographical area. The PAN includes 5 National Parks and 17 Wildlife sanctuaries as well as 3 proposed Wildlife
Sanctuaries, 3 Tiger Reserves, 5 Elephant Reserves, 2 Biosphere Reserves and 2 World Natural Heritage Sites and
they play very important role in in-situ conservation of biodiversity. Kaziranga National Park needs no
introduction and is virtually home to great Indian one horned rhinoceros. Besides, wild buffaloes, swamp deer, hog
deer, sambar, elephant, tiger and leopard are also found in KNP. The faunal population of KNP has 35 species of
mammals, 42 species of fishes, and 254 species of birds including Bengal florican. Kaziranga National Park in
also a “World heritage site” and a” Tiger reserve”. Manas National Park is also a Biosphere Reserve and forms a
contiguous linear belt along the foot of Himalayas. The floral diversity includes 543 plant species. The faunal
diversity is represented by 60 mammalian species, 42 species of reptiles, 7 species of amphibians, 5 fish species,
103 invertebrate species and 327 species of birds. Translcation of rhinos from Pobitora and Manas is being
undertaken in stages to reintroduce rhinos in Manas. Dibru-Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve includes Dibru-
Saikhowa wild life Sanctuary and biogeographically exhibits the properties of both the Indian and Malayan sub-
regions. It consists of a number of “ecotones” between floral communities of riparian and grassland habitats as
well as deciduous forest and wet evergreen forest types. This biosphere reserve is home to many important faunal
species including white wing wood duck, hoolock gibbon, wild buffalo, several species of turtles, Gangetic
dolphin, golden mahaseer etc. The documented animal population includes 3 species of amphibians, 22 species of
reptiles, 25 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, 62 species of fishes etc. This biosphere reserve is also home
to a number of feral horses.
 
Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (Rani)
In view of the depletion of the global population of vultures, the Government of Assam in collaboration with the
BNHS, Bombay has established a Vulture conservation & Breeding centre at Rani. The objectives of the project is
to have 50 pairs of Vultures for breeding with the ultimate goal to release than in the wild.
Tiger Researve ( 3 No.s):
1.    Manas T.R.---------- 65 tigers (Estimation 2000)
2.    Nameri T.R.--------- 26 tigers (Estimation 2000)
3.    Kaziranga T.R.------ 85 tigers (Estimation 2000)
Out of 25 Protected Areas (P.As) in Assam, Manas N.P., Nameri N.P, were notified as Project Tiger in 1973 and
1985 respectively. Recently in 2007, the Kaziranga N.P. was also brought under the agencies of Project Tiger
inclusive of Laokhowa - Burachapori W.L.S complete. The Manas N.P has the distinction of having the highest
number of endangered species which under went cruel unrest during the 1090s, consequent of which the Manas
N.P. was enlisted as World Natural Heritage Site in Danger.
 

Act East Policy

The Assam Government has opened the Act East Policy Department to ensure the implementation of Act East
Policy in a time-bound manner. The Act East Policy Department will facilitate an environment for investment and
rapid industrialization in the state. 

The Geographical Location of the North Eastern Region (NER) stands itself as the most favorable location to
focus on the implementation of India’s Look East Policy which is stated to be India’s vision. The entire North
Eastern Region is the gateway to South East Asia. Therefore, the development of the communication infrastructure
of the northeastern region is very important so that it can be linked to the neighboring South East Asian countries
of Bangladesh Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bhutan & China.

Major infrastructure initiative needed to connect the NE Region to the South East Asian neighbors. Ministry of
Road Transport & Highways in recent time has initiated/undertaken many major National Highway development
projects in the North Eastern Region. Early completion of these projects will be much helpful towards
materialization of the Look East Policy.

The major initiatives taken up in the Highway Sector of the State are outlined below:

Development of NH 153 (Stillwell Road):

Re-opening of the Stillwell Road to link NER to Kunming, the capital City of Yunan Province of China, through
Myanmar will greatly boost economy and trade activities from the region to those southeast Asian countries. NH-
153 forms part of this famous Stillwell Road in NER.(from Lekhapani to Jairampur- 23.00 km) & improvement of
the stretch to 2 lanes with Paved shoulder    (10m Carriageway) has already been completed under SARDP-NE.
The government of India may consider the development and commissioning of this road from NER to China with
the necessary collaboration with Myanmar. Work on re-alignment of NH 37 & NH 38 for proper road link
between Dibrugarh and Lekhapani has also been under implementation. Also, 4-Laning of NH-37 from Dibrugarh
to Numaligarh has been taken up by NHIDCL.

Development of ASEAN Highway:

The road connection to southeast Asian countries is also available along with the ASEAN Highway network that
can be accessed from the existing NH-39 & NH-36 of Assam through DIMAPUR –KOHIMA-IMPHAL to reach
Myanmar at the border town of Moreh. This route assumes a lot of significance as it has been envisaged to connect
Thailand, Laos, Vietnam Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia along with the same highway network. This will
definitely change the prevailing status of the economic development of the country. Of the above, 71 km of NH-36
(from km 91/0 to 162/0) has already been developed to two lanes with paved shoulders under SARDP-NE (Phase-
A). The route has already been declared as Asian Highway No.1.

Connectivity to Bhutan:

The NH 152 from Assam has a direct link to the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. The NH 152 (38 km) has been
developed as a two-lane highway with a Paved shoulder under SARDP-NE (Phase-A). Therefore, there is ample
scope for establishing good road connectivity from Bhutan and beyond. Recently two new National Highways viz
NH No.127(C) & NH No.127(D) has been declared which will connect East-West Corridor with Bhutan.

Connectivity to Bangladesh through NH-51, NH-40, NH-151, NH-44:

NER has 3 (three) distinct national highways connecting the capital city of Bangladesh i.e. Dhaka. The routes are:

 GUWAHATI-JORABAT-SHILLONG-DAUKI-SYLHET-DHAKA –This route stretches along NH 37& 40

totaling 467 km
 GUWAHATI-JORABAT-SHILLONG-KARIMGANJ-SUTARKANDI-SYLHET-DHAKA –This route
stretches along NH 37, 40,44&151 totaling 657 km
 GUWAHATI-PAIKAN-DALU-DHAKA –This route stretches along NH 37, 51 totaling 261 km in the Indian
Territory only, of which the entire 22 km of NH-51 (Assam portion) has already been developed to 2- lane with
paved shoulder by PWD under SARDP-NE.

The development of the above routes will be very beneficial for International Trade and Commerce, and will also
create new opportunities. 

Connectivity with the Republic of China through Arunachal Pradesh:

 The NH-52 in the north bank of Brahmaputra from BaihataChariali to Dhemaji is a major road connecting
Arunachal Pradesh. This Road can be further developed and extended through Tibet, Republic of China
through TAWANG of Arunachal Pradesh.
 The proposed 4-lane connectivity of Itanagar from East-West Corridor near Nagaon is in advanced stage of
implementation. DPR and feasibility report have already been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport &
Highways. This route could be utilized to explore the possibility of establishing a road link directly to China.
Feasibility in this regard may be assessed.

Connectivity of NER with the rest of the country:

The following points also need urgent attention so that development initiatives related to LOOK EAST policy
have a better impact on all layers of society.
 East-West Corridor is on the verge of completion. There is another route of NH-31 from Boxirhat (Assam
Bengal Border) connecting the entire North East. These two National Highways can adequately and efficiently
connect all potential river routes through the mighty river Brahmaputra.
 To rationalize, simplify, and modify the rules & procedures hindering the free flow of traffic on roads and
highways to ensure hassle-free movement particularly at interstate borders and at international Borders.
 Urgent steps should be taken for connecting all the State Capitals of NER with 4-lane roads.
 Gauge conversion to Murkakchelang on the North Bank is nearing completion. BG connectivity already exists
up to Tinsukia in Upper Assam. Gauge conversion in Lumding – Badarpur Section is under construction. These
Railway routes can be improved with a double line facility to cater to the present-day demand for the smooth
movement of goods and services.
 River route through the Brahmaputra may be developed with river Ports at suitable locations like Guwahati,
Silghat, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, etc.

Industrial Growth of North Eastern Region:

The Government of India’s Look East Policy is to focus on Industrial development of the North Eastern Region as
most of the South East Asian Countries are closely linked to the North Eastern Region. In this regard some routes
of internal connectivity which are presently either underdeveloped or Missing links are to be developed:

 There are five or six major missing links in the State which have practically retarded the economic
development of the State, in fact, that of the North East as a whole. A few of the missing links have been
already notified as National Highway notably:

 Srirampur - Dhubri – Phulbari – Tura newly declared as NH-127B.

 Dhola – Sadiya Bridge extension of NH to Rowing – work recently completed.
 Trans Arunachal Highway – work is in progress,
 2 Nos. National Highway to Bhutan NH-127C & NH-127D.
 Gohpur – Numaligarh including Bridge over river Brahmaputra.

The following missing links need immediate attention

 Alternate route from Barak Valley (Silchar) to Guwahati via Harrangajao, Turuk, Neille.
 Disangmuckh near Sivsagar to Tekelipota – Dhakuakhana – North Lakhimpur – Majuli.
 Proper Upgradation of Dhodar Ali which connects NH-39.

It is urgently required to connect all the above major missing links in a framed manner within the next ten years so
that the State can have an integrated Highway network. Industrial Growth of the North Eastern Region will be
effective only on the completion of the above missing links.

Conclusion:
Construction of the East-West Corridor in Assam will be completed by NHAI in 2017. Thus thorough 4-lane
connectivity from Srirampur (Assam Bengal Border) to Silchar covering a distance of 670 km will be available for
uninterrupted Highway traffic which can be properly utilized for connectivity to Myanmar through Moreh shortly.
The intervening 60 km NH-53 is also under development to 2-lane with paved shoulder (10m carriageway) under
SARDP-NE Phase-A partly under PWD and partly under BRO. For augmenting better economic growth, the
standard of living, per capita income, etc. of the people of the North Eastern Region the route for connectivity to
Myanmar within Assam is given below.

Route –I

S.N. NH Number From To Length

1 31(C), 31, 37, 36, 54 Srirampur Silchar 670 km

2 53 Silchar Jiribam 60 km

3 39 Jiribam Moreh 319 km

Route –II

S.N. NH No. From To Length

1 31(C), 31, 37 Srirampur Nagaon 382 km

2 36 Nagaon Dabaka 38 km

3 36 Dabaka Dimapur 123 km

4 39 Dimapur Moreh 317 km

Route –III

S.N. NH No. From To Length

1 31(C), 31, 37 Srirampur Nagaon 382 km

2 37 Nagaon Numaligarh 130 km

3 39 Numaligarh Dimapur 107 km

 4 39 Dimapur Moreh 317 km

Assam Startup Policy

The Assam Government aims to create an ecosystem for start-ups in Assam and to establish Assam as the
entrepreneurial hub of Northeast India. The Assam Startup policy primarily focuses on generating employment,
nurturing start-ups in the initial stage, and stimulating Startup culture in the state.

The key highlights of the Assam Startup Policy Draft 2017 include four pillars:

Digital Startup Ecosystem: This includes the development of a Startup portal and app which will facilitate
information aggregation and infrastructure booking. The portal shall also include online learning and development
programs. A dedicated helpline will also be made operational.
Development of Infrastructure: Creation of Startup incubator space will take place in Guwahati in the first phase
and then in Dibrugarh and Silchar along with the establishment of ESDM (Electronic Systems and Design
Manufacturing) innovation center.
Funding and Other Incentives: Registered start-ups shall get fiscal incentives and benefits along with loan schemes
with interest subsidy among other reimbursements.
Human Capital and Skill Development: In order to boost innovation, the government plans to create a conducive
environment at the school and college level. Compulsory EDCs (Entrepreneurship Development Cells) shall also
be established in every college.
For more details about the Policy, click on Assam Start Up Policy, 2017
For the Assam Startup Policy (Amendment) 2018 refer to Do