According to a report by Pratidin Time, the Assam state government is currently reviewing land management policies surrounding the Kaziranga National Park. The discussion centers on the implementation of a 2022 Supreme Court of India directive, which mandated a minimum one-kilometre Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around all national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has proposed a formal notification process to define the ESZ for Kaziranga. The state's objective is to balance environmental conservation with necessary developmental activities in the region, seeking to maintain the default one-kilometre buffer while addressing local infrastructure requirements. The 2022 ruling, issued in the case of In Re: TN Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India & Ors, remains a cornerstone of environmental litigation in India, setting strict guidelines for forest protection.
Environmental experts and state officials are expected to continue deliberations on how to align the state's development goals with the judicial mandate. The outcome of these discussions will likely determine the future of land use and construction permissions in the areas adjacent to the park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a critical habitat for the one-horned rhinoceros.
The story accurately references a well-documented 2022 Supreme Court of India ruling regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) and links it to current policy discussions in Assam. The report is internally consistent and reflects ongoing administrative debates regarding land use around protected areas.
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Original report: Pratidin Time