Assam CM Defends Narrower Kaziranga Eco-Sensitive Zone
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the state's decision to establish a 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park. He stated the default 10 km buffer remains until the Centre officially notifies the ESZ.
Key takeaways
- Assam's Chief Minister defended a reduction in the Kaziranga National Park's Eco-Sensitive Zone to 1 km from the general 10 km.
- The state government cited Supreme Court rulings permitting a minimum 1 km ESZ and the need to avoid impacting local communities.
- The default 10 km buffer will persist until the central government formally notifies the revised zone based on state proposals.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has defended the state government’s decision to designate a 1-kilometer Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Kaziranga National Park. He clarified that the broader 10-kilometer buffer zone will continue to apply to protected areas until the central government officially notifies the ESZ, based on proposals submitted by the state.
Mr. Sarma informed journalists in Guwahati on August 12, 2026, that the Supreme Court permits an ESZ of at least 1 kilometer around protected areas. He emphasized that this move is not about reducing the existing zone but about establishing the officially notified distance, which will supersede the general 10-km guideline.
What Happened
The Assam Chief Minister explained that reducing the ESZ from the default 10 km to 1 km around Kaziranga National Park is intended to alleviate the impact on residents of surrounding towns like Bokakhat and Kaliabor. He noted that a 10-km ESZ would affect thousands of people living in these peripheral areas. Mr. Sarma advised critics to consult the Supreme Court's order before forming conclusions.
Background
The process for notifying an ESZ begins with the State Forest Department creating a proposal, which is then sent to the central government and subsequently to the National Board for Wildlife. Mr. Sarma cited the recent notification of a 1-kilometer ESZ around Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site near Guwahati, as an example that demonstrates ESZs are not universally set at 10 kilometers.
The 10-kilometer guideline originated from a 2002 National Board for Wildlife resolution and was formalized in 2011 guidelines by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. However, this 10-km rule was challenged, leading the Supreme Court to issue an order in June 2022 mandating a minimum 1-kilometer ESZ for all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, while also prohibiting mining within these zones. The apex court modified this order in April 2023, retaining the 1-kilometer minimum.
Key Facts
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the notification of a 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park.
- The default 10 km buffer zone will remain in effect until the Centre officially notifies the ESZ based on state proposals.
- Mr. Sarma cited a Supreme Court ruling that an ESZ can be a minimum of 1 km from a protected area’s periphery.
- He stated that a 10 km ESZ would negatively impact thousands of people in Bokakhat, Kaliabor, and other nearby towns.
- The ESZ around Deepor Beel, a Ramsar Site, was also notified at 1 km.
- The Supreme Court mandated a minimum 1 km ESZ for protected areas in June 2022 and prohibited mining within ESZs.
Sources reviewed
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