Assam CM defends move to reduce Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone to 1 km from the default 10 km
Retaining a default 10-km Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga could affect several populated areas, Himanta Biswa Sarma says
Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, defended his state's decision to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park to just 1 km, from the conventional 10 km buffer. Sarma clarified that the 10 km ESZ will still apply around protected areas until the federal government issues an official notification, based on proposals submitted by the State government.
He pointed to a Supreme Court ruling stating that the ESZ around a protected area can be at least 1 km from the perimeter. Sarma emphasized that the 10 km provision remains in place until the ESZ is officially notified, and argued that the reduced zone wouldn't negatively impact the thousands of people living near Kaziranga.
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