1 week ago
Assam Congress Plans Statewide March Over Kaziranga ESZ Reduction
Assam’s Congress party plans to hold a march on August 29.
The march will oppose a proposal to make the protected area around Kaziranga National Park smaller.
The buffer zone is usually 10 kilometres wide, but the government wants to reduce it to between 1 and 3 kilometres.
Congress and environmental groups worry this could allow more mining and tourism near the park.
They also fear it could hurt wildlife and increase conflicts between people and animals.
The Karbi Anglong hills nearby are described as an elephant corridor.
The state government says the change is needed to help villagers living inside the zone.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says it would protect their livelihoods.
The Assam Congress will hold a statewide padayatra on August 29 against a proposed reduction of Kaziranga National Park’s Eco-Sensitive Zone.
The Assam government plans to ask the Centre to reduce the buffer area from the default 10 km to between 1 km and 3 km.
Congress and environmental activists say the change could enable mining and tourism activities near Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong hills.
Environmentalists warn that a narrower buffer could increase human-animal conflict and damage the park’s biodiversity.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the proposal would protect villagers living in the zone and safeguard their livelihoods.
- Who
- The Assam Congress, environmental activists, the Assam government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are involved.
- What
- The Assam Congress will organise a statewide padayatra opposing a proposed reduction of Kaziranga’s Eco-Sensitive Zone.
- Where
- Across Assam, with the dispute concerning the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park and the nearby Karbi Anglong hills.
- When
- The march is scheduled for August 29; the report was issued on August 26.
- Why
- Congress and environmentalists say the reduction threatens wildlife and biodiversity, while the state government says it would protect villagers and their livelihoods.
Congress and Environmentalists
Assam Government
Effect on wildlife and biodiversity
Congress and Environmentalists
Congress and environmental activists say reducing the buffer zone would threaten Kaziranga’s wildlife, biodiversity and fragile ecosystem, and could increase human-animal conflict.
Assam Government
The government argues that the reduction is intended to protect villagers living within the Eco-Sensitive Zone and safeguard their livelihoods.
Mining and tourism activities
Congress and Environmentalists
Opposition parties and environmental activists allege that the proposal is aimed at facilitating mining and tourism activities around Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong hills.
Assam Government
The report does not state a direct government response to the allegations about mining and tourism.
Purpose of the buffer zone
Congress and Environmentalists
Environmentalists say a wider buffer is needed to protect Kaziranga and the nearby elephant corridor in the Karbi Anglong hills.
Assam Government
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defends a narrower zone as a measure focused on villagers’ protection and economic interests.
Key facts
- Protest date
- August 29
- Protest format
- Statewide padayatra
- Existing buffer standard
- The default Eco-Sensitive Zone extends 10 km around the protected forest.
- Proposed buffer
- The Assam government plans to seek a reduction to between 1 km and 3 km.
- Congress concern
- The party says the proposal threatens wildlife, biodiversity and Kaziranga’s fragile ecosystem.
- Environmental concern
- Environmentalists warn of increased human-animal conflict and risks to the park’s biodiversity.
- Government position
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says the proposal would protect villagers and their livelihoods.
Sources
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