Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 12 clarified that the existing 10-km provision around Kaziranga National Park will continue to apply until the state government formally notifies the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), saying the Supreme Court’s direction does not mean an immediate reduction of the existing provision.
Addressing a press conference, Sarma said the distance specified in the eventual ESZ notification would become applicable once the state government formally notified the zone.
“The Supreme Court has said that the Eco-Sensitive Zone will be within 1 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. The moment the State Government notifies the ESZ, the notified distance will apply,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister said retaining a 10-km zone around Kaziranga could affect several populated areas, including Kaliabor, Dabhaka, Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat, potentially creating difficulties for a large number of residents.
“If we keep a 10-kilometre Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga, then areas like Kaliabor, Dabhaka, Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat would be affected, and many people would face problems,” he said.
Sarma also urged the public to read the Supreme Court order carefully before drawing conclusions about its implications.
“A lot of people are saying many things without properly understanding the issue. So, we need to carefully read and understand the Supreme Court’s order,” he said.
Explaining the notification process, Sarma said the Forest Department would prepare the proposal, which would then be forwarded by the state government to the Centre. The Central Government would subsequently send it to the National Board for Wildlife.
He said the usual approach was to prescribe an ESZ within a 1-km radius, although the zone could extend up to 3 km depending on the circumstances.
Sarma cited the recently notified ESZ around Deepor Beel, which was fixed at one kilometre, to argue that a 10-km zone was not mandatory in every case.
“A few days ago, the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Deepor Beel was notified at 1 kilometre. So, 1 kilometre is the norm; there is no rule that says it has to be 10 kilometres everywhere in the world,” he said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the 10-km provision would remain in force around Kaziranga until the state government formally notifies the ESZ, following which the distance specified in the notification would apply.
