Overview
The Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced its intention to approach the Centre to reduce the ESZ around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve to a minimum of 1 km, far less than the default 10 km. The move has sparked a debate between development aspirations and ecological safety.
Key Developments
- Assam seeks a 1‑km ESZ around Kaziranga, citing urban growth pressures on nearby towns such as Bokakhat and Kaliabor.
- The proposal references the Supreme Court order that allows a baseline ESZ of 1‑3 km, after earlier uniform 1‑km directives were modified.
- Environmental activists, including Jadab Payeng, and opposition leaders warn that a reduced buffer could increase human‑animal conflict and damage migration corridors.
- Concerns are raised about illegal sand mining, stone quarrying, and proposed luxury hotels within the proposed reduced zone.
- The NBWL originally set a 10‑km default ESZ under the MoEFCC guidelines of 2011.
Important Facts
Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the default ESZ is 10 km unless a state submits a site‑specific notification approved by the MoEFCC. Kaziranga, covering 1,302 sq km, currently operates under this default rule.
The Ramsar Site Deepor Beel, near Guwahati, has a draft ESZ ranging from 25 m to 5 km, illustrating how local pressures can lead to varied buffer sizes.
Exam Relevance
Understanding ESZs is crucial for GS 4 (Environment) as they illustrate the balance between development and conservation, a recurring theme in the Indian environmental jurisprudence. The role of the NBWL and the MoEFCC highlights inter‑governmental coordination, relevant for GS 2 (Polity). The Supreme Court’s evolving stance on uniform versus site‑specific ESZs provides a case study for judicial activism and policy implementation.
Way Forward
- Assam should submit a scientifically backed, site‑specific ESZ proposal that balances ecological integrity with legitimate development needs.
- Stakeholder consultations—including local communities, wildlife experts, and industry—must be documented to meet Supreme Court expectations.
- Strengthen monitoring of illegal mining and unapproved constructions within the proposed buffer.
- Promote eco‑friendly tourism and renewable‑energy projects that comply with the permitted‑activity list of an ESZ.
- Use the Kaziranga case to develop a model framework for other states facing similar buffer‑zone dilemmas.