Environment News

Kaziranga ESZ Reduction

August 16 , 2026 12 hrs 0 min 24 0

The Assam government plans to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) from 10 km to 1 km, in line with Supreme Court guidelines.
The Supreme Court (SC) had ordered in June 2022 that an ESZ of at least 1 km should be declared around protected forests, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
In April 2023, the SC modified the order, saying a uniform 1-km rule could affect local activities and increase human-wildlife conflict, but mining within 1 km of protected areas remained prohibited.
The proposed reduction is intended to facilitate development activities around Kaziranga, including construction projects.
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important habitat of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
The Assam government will send a proposal to the Central Government for reducing the ESZ to 1 km.