Why is Kaziranga’s Eco-Sensitive Zone in focus? | Explained

The Assam government has recently proposed reducing the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) surrounding Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve from the standard 10 km to a minimum of 1 km. This move has sparked controversy and questions about the government's commitment to conservation efforts. The Eco-Sensitive Zone is a buffer area established to protect wildlife and minimize human impact on the ecosystem.

It is an area where certain activities are prohibited, regulated or permitted to minimize the impact of urbanization on the flora and fauna. The default extent of 10 km remains in force for protected areas unless a State government submits a site-specific notification approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

However, Assam's Kaziranga operates under the default rule pending final tailored notifications. The government's proposal to shrink the ESZ around Kaziranga was inspired by the case of Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site on the southwestern edge of Guwahati. The area around Deepor Beel has faced immense biotic pressure due to expanding human settlements, industrial units, and waste discharge.

The proposal to reduce the ESZ has drawn criticism from environmental activists, who argue that a buffer zone of 10 km is necessary to prevent human-animal conflicts and protect the park's reputation. The government's decision has also raised concerns about the impact on animal migration routes during floods and the potential threat to wildlife corridors due to stone quarrying and riverbed mining in nearby hills.