Assam minister Pijush Hazarika says Kaziranga’s boundary will remain unchanged as the government proposes rationalising the Eco-Sensitive Zone
Guwahati: The Assam government has clarified that there will be no change to the boundary of Kaziranga National Park, amid the ongoing debate over the proposed rationalisation of its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Pijush Hazarika said the proposal applies only to areas outside the national park and is intended to address the livelihood and development needs of communities living around the protected area.
“There is no change to Kaziranga National Park’s boundary,” Hazarika said in a social media post, adding that the proposed rationalisation would ensure that conservation remains protected while addressing genuine local requirements.
According to the minister, the ESZ is calculated from the boundary of the national park and not from its core area. The government has proposed notifying the ESZ within a 1–3 km range from the park boundary, in line with Supreme Court guidelines.
Hazarika said the proposed framework would allow essential development activities, including housing and healthcare facilities for indigenous and local communities, while retaining environmental safeguards. He also pointed to restrictions faced by communities around Kaziranga in carrying out basic construction and development work.
The minister maintained that the exercise is aimed at balancing wildlife conservation with the developmental aspirations of surrounding communities, rather than altering or reducing the protected area of Kaziranga National Park.
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