Hundreds of residents living around Kaziranga National Park staged a protest in Assam’s Kaliabor on Tuesday, August 18, supporting the state government’s decision to reduce the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the park from 10 km to 1 km.
The protesters marched from Kuthari to Bagori, carrying placards and raising slogans against Jorhat MP Gaurav Gogoi and MLA Akhil Gogoi. The demonstration followed reports of Gogoi advocating a 10-km ESZ around Kaziranga.
Members of the Karbi Students’ Association and residents of Karbi Anglong also joined the protest. Some participants held a semi-nude demonstration opposing the demand for a wider ESZ.
The protesters supported the proposed 1-km ESZ and said the concerns and interests of communities living around Kaziranga should be taken into account.
A large number of residents participated in the march from Kuthari to Bagori as part of the demonstration.
