Amidst ongoing discussions over the proposal to review the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Kaziranga National Park, state minister Pijush Hazarika has clarified the state government’s position.
In a statement released via social media, he stated that there will be no change of any kind to the core boundary of the national park. This step has been taken for the development of areas outside the park and to meet the livelihood needs of local indigenous people.
As per the directives of the Supreme Court, a proposal has been made to notify the Eco-Sensitive Zone within a range of 1 to 3 kilometers from the boundary of the national park. The minister said that this calculation of the Eco-Sensitive Zone will be done from the periphery of the core park, not from the inner core area. As a result, while keeping the conservation measures intact, it will help in continuing necessary construction and developmental work in the adjoining areas.
He also highlighted the difficulties faced by local people living on the fringes of the protected forest area in carrying out basic infrastructure work like house construction and setting up health centers.
Minister Pijush Hazarika said that maintaining the right balance between biodiversity protection and the development of local indigenous communities is the main objective of this policy. He added that the government is committed to protecting the rights of people living nearby while also ensuring the environment of the national park remains protected.
