Eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga to remain in place till further notice: Himanta Sarma
Guwahati, Aug 12
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday clarified that the existing 10-km provision around Kaziranga National Park will continue to remain applicable until the state government formally notifies the Eco-Sensitive Zone, stressing that the recent Supreme Court direction should not be interpreted as an immediate reduction of the existing provision.
Addressing a press conference, CM Sarma said the Supreme Court's reference to the one km ESZ did not mean that the existing 10-km provision had automatically been scrapped.
He said the distance that would ultimately apply around Kaziranga would be determined through the formal notification issued by the state government.
"The Supreme Court has said that the Eco-Sensitive Zone will be within one kilometre. This is not about reducing the existing zone. Until the state government notifies the Eco-Sensitive Zone, the 10-kilometre provision will continue to apply," CM Sarma said.
The Chief Minister said maintaining a 10-km zone could have a significant impact on several populated areas located around Kaziranga, including Kaliabor, Dabhaka, Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat.
He said a wider ESZ could create difficulties for a large number of people living and carrying out economic activities in these areas.
CM Sarma also appealed to people and various stakeholders to read the Supreme Court order carefully before reaching conclusions about its implications.
"People are saying many things without properly understanding the issue. We need to carefully read and understand the Supreme Court's order," he said.
Explaining the process for finalising an ESZ, CM Sarma said the state Forest Department would first prepare the proposal.
The state government would then forward it to the Centre, following which the proposal would be placed before the National Board for Wildlife.
According to CM Sarma, one kilometre is generally considered the normal extent of an ESZ, although the zone can be expanded up to three kilometres depending on specific circumstances.
He referred to the recently notified ESZ around Deepor Beel in Assam, where the zone has been fixed at one kilometre. The Chief Minister said there was no universal requirement for every protected area to have a 10-km ESZ.
CM Sarma reiterated that the existing 10-km provision around Kaziranga would remain in force until the state government issues its formal notification, after which the notified distance would become applicable.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good decision to maintain status quo. But let's be honest - the real issue here is balancing wildlife conservation with the needs of local communities. Those villages around Kaziranga have been coexisting with the park for generations. We need a scientific approach, not just arbitrary numbers. The government should involve local stakeholders in the ESZ decision.
As someone from Bokakhat, this is reassuring. The 10km zone has been helping control haphazard construction near the park. But CM Sarma is right - we also need to think about the people who have their homes and livelihoods there. It's a tricky balance. Hope the government involves local voices in the final notification process. 🌿
Wait, so the Supreme Court said 1km but CM is saying 10km stays? That sounds a bit contradictory to me. I understand the need to follow proper process, but let's not twist the court's words. The environment ministry should clarify this at the earliest so everyone knows where they stand.
Finally someone speaking sense! The media and social media were making it seem like the Supreme Court had already reduced the zone. CM Sarma is right - the court order needs careful reading. And what he said about Deepor Beel being 1km shows there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Good governance requires patience and process.
The 10km ESZ has been crucial for Kaziranga's rhino corridor. Reducing it to 1km without proper scientific study would be disastrous. But CM Sarma's point about populated areas is valid too. Maybe a graded approach - stricter near the park boundary, moderate in outer zones - would work better. The state should
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