Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the plan to reduce Kaziranga’s eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) from 10 km to 1 km would follow Supreme Court guidelines.
On August 8, Sarma said the ESZ around Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important habitat for the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, was 10 km “by default.” He said the Assam government would submit a proposal to the Centre within two months to reduce the ESZ limit from 10 km to 1 km. He said the move was required to facilitate development activities in the region, including the construction of a stadium.
“The SC itself had stated that the ESZ would be of 1 km. Until the state government officially notifies the ESZ, its limit will remain 10 km. Once the state notifies it, the limit will be reduced to 1 km, as specified by the Supreme Court,” Sarma said.
He further said that maintaining a 10-km ESZ around KNPTR would affect towns such as Kaliabar, Doboka, Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat. According to him, Supreme Court guidelines specify an ESZ of 1 km, which can extend up to 3 km depending on circumstances. He also said there is no wildlife sanctuary in the world surrounded by a 10-km ESZ.
In June 2022, the Supreme Court ordered that an ESZ of at least 1 km should be declared around protected forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
However, in April 2023, after submissions from states and the Centre that a uniform approach was not practical, the Supreme Court modified its earlier order. It observed that strict implementation of the earlier direction could increase human-animal conflict and affect citizens’ day-to-day activities. However, the court said that mining would not be allowed within 1 km of protected areas.
The Assam government’s proposal to reduce the ESZ has received criticism from wildlife activists and conservationists in the state.
“Kaziranga National Park is not just Assam’s pride, but it’s a world heritage site. The proposal, if implemented, would have a drastic effect on wildlife in the national park,” said wildlife conservationist Jadav Payeng.
He said that during annual floods, animals such as rhinos, deer and elephants leave Kaziranga and move towards nearby higher areas for safety. According to Payeng, reducing the ESZ could restrict their movement and leave them trapped. He also questioned the need to reduce the ESZ for construction activities near the national park.
“The Supreme Court in its earlier judgement has made it very clear that if a national park doesn’t declare ESZ, then the apex court will assume ESZ is up to 10 km from the park boundary. Further the apex court in its June 2022 judgement held that every national park and wildlife sanctuary must have a mandatory ESZ of at least 1 KM from demarcated boundary,” Bibhab Talukdar, secretary general of the wildlife conservation organisation Aaranyak, said.
He added that the key issue is the spirit of the ESZ and its proper implementation, whether it extends 10 km or even 1 km from the park boundary, for the long-term conservation of Kaziranga and other national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. At the same time, he said there needs to be a balance between conservation and the livelihood needs of local communities living around protected areas.
