Why is Kaziranga’s Eco-Sensitive Zone in focus? | Explained
The Assam government is seeking to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km to facilitate urban development. This proposal has sparked debate regarding the balance between economic growth and the conservation of protected wildlife habitats.
Why it matters
The conflict illustrates the broader national challenge of managing land use in ecologically sensitive areas while addressing infrastructure and civic needs.
The Assam government recently announced plans to approach the Centre to shrink the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), a buffer zone around protected areas, to a minimum of 1 km instead of the default 10 km. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s argument that an ESZ of more than 1 km around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve would affect civic and urban growth in surrounding towns has stoked controversy and raised questions about the government’s seriousness about conserving natural assets.
Also known as an Ecologically Fragile Area, an ESZ is a buffer zone or a wide demarcated strip around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries protected by law to stop heavy human damage, lower human-animal conflicts, and improve conservation of natural assets.
Gaurav Gogoi flags removal of gazette notification on Kaziranga animal corridors from Assam’s official website
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