Kaziranga buffer zone: 1 km vs 10 km — what's at stake
Assam CM's hint that Kaziranga's eco-sensitive zone could be 1 km instead of 10 km has sparked controversy.
A fresh controversy has erupted in Assam over the proposed width of the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated that the buffer area may be fixed at a minimum of 1 km, rather than the default 10 km prescribed under central guidelines.
The statement has drawn sharp reactions from conservationists and environmental groups, who argue that a drastically reduced buffer would weaken protection for the park's wildlife, including the one-horned rhinoceros. Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is already prone to pressure from human activity along its borders.
An ESZ acts as a transition zone around protected areas, regulating industrial and construction activity to minimise human-wildlife conflict and habitat degradation. The default norm, set by the Union Environment Ministry, is usually 10 km from the park boundary, but state governments can propose variations.
Sarma's remarks suggest the state may push for the lower limit to ease restrictions on development and land use for communities living near the park. However, any final decision would require central approval, and the matter is now under intense scrutiny.
Officials have not yet clarified the scientific basis for the proposed 1 km width. The debate highlights the recurring tension between conservation imperatives and the developmental aspirations of local populations in biodiversity-rich regions.