Why Assam wants to shrink Kaziranga National Park's eco-sensitive zone - explained
The Assam government has proposed reducing the eco-sensitive zone around Kaziranga National Park from 10 kilometers to a range of one to three kilometers. While the state argues this will facilitate local development, conservationists fear it will weaken protections for the park's wildlife.
Why it matters
The debate underscores the ongoing conflict between economic development and environmental conservation in ecologically sensitive regions.
At dawn, Kaziranga wakes to mist rising over its tall grasslands. Elephants move through the wilderness as jeep tracks wind past marshes, while one-horned rhinos emerge from the grass.By afternoon, the landscape transforms into a trail of wildlife sightings, wild water buffalo, deer, elephants and, for visitors, glimpses of one of India's most celebrated natural habitats.But beyond the park's boundary, another debate is unfolding. How much space should be left between Kaziranga's protected landscape and the towns, homes and businesses that surround it?The Assam government has proposed replacing the existing default 10-km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve with a site-specific ESZ extending between one and three kilometres from the park boundary.The proposal has triggered a debate over how far conservation restrictions should extend beyond a protected area and how the needs of communities living alongside Kaziranga can be balanced with wildlife protection.The state government says…
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