Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Assam to Seek Centre Approval to Cut Kaziranga Buffer Zone
Assam is a state in India that is home to a famous wildlife park called Kaziranga, where one-horned rhinoceroses live.
There is a special safe area around the park called an eco-sensitive zone where some activities are restricted.
Right now, that zone is 10 kilometres wide.
The state government wants to shrink it to just 1 kilometre.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the 10-kilometre rule was only a default and was never formally approved.
The government says a smaller zone would leave more room for building things outside the park, like a proposed stadium.
India's top court, the Supreme Court, said in 2022 that protected areas should have an eco-sensitive zone of at least 1 kilometre.
People who care about wildlife are worried that building and other activities close to the park could hurt the animals.
The Assam government will send its proposal to the national government, which must approve it.
The Assam government plans to seek the Centre's approval to reduce the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve from 10 km to 1 km.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the proposal would be sent to the Union government within the next two months.
Sarma said the existing 10-km ESZ was not based on a specific state notification and was being followed as a default arrangement.
The government cited the need for more room for infrastructure projects outside the protected area, including a proposed stadium.
The Supreme Court, in June 2022, directed that protected areas should ordinarily have an ESZ extending at least 1 km from their boundaries.
- Who
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the Assam government; the Union (central) government must approve the proposal; wildlife conservation groups are closely watching.
- What
- A proposal to reduce the eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve from 10 km to 1 km.
- When
- Sarma discussed the change on August 8; the proposal is to be sent to the Centre within the next two months.
- Where
- Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), Assam, India.
- Why
- To create more room for infrastructure projects outside the park, including a proposed stadium; the state maintains the 10-km zone was a default arrangement rather than a formal notification.
Conservation Concerns
Development Needs
Reducing Kaziranga's eco-sensitive zone
Conservation Concerns
Shrinking the ESZ to 1 km would increase pressure from construction and other activities on the UNESCO World Heritage Site and its wildlife; conservation groups are expected to oppose the change.
Development Needs
The 10-km zone was not based on a specific state notification, the 1-km limit aligns with the Supreme Court's 2022 direction, and the change is needed for infrastructure projects such as a proposed stadium outside the park.
- Protected area
- Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR)
- Current eco-sensitive zone
- 10 km
- Proposed eco-sensitive zone
- 1 km
- Timeline
- Proposal to be sent to the Union government within the next two months
- Announcement date
- August 8, by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
- Supreme Court direction
- June 2022: protected areas should ordinarily have an ESZ of at least 1 km
- Park status
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its one-horned rhinoceroses
- Reason cited
- Room for infrastructure projects, including a proposed stadium