Concerns Grow Over Proposed 1-km ESZ Around Kaziranga

Conservationists and forest officials have raised concerns over the Assam government’s proposal to reduce the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve to 1 km, warning that the move could weaken protection for the park’s surrounding biodiversity and wildlife corridors. They fear the change could also leave several mining, quarrying and stone-crushing units outside the regulated zone.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had earlier recommended stopping mining, quarrying and stone-crushing activities across the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, citing damage to wildlife corridors, habitats and natural water channels. Officials have warned that reducing the ESZ could encourage further industrial activity near the park and undermine the movement of species such as tigers and elephants between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong hills.