The Karbi Students’ Association, along with local residents, staged a protest at Bordeka village near Kaziranga National Park on August 21, opposing Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi’s remarks on the park’s Eco-Sensitive Zone.
The protest came amid an ongoing political and public debate in Assam over the proposed reduction of the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga from 10 kilometres to 1 kilometre.
The protesters held a meeting at Bordeka village in Karbi Anglong district before taking out a rally towards Kuthori in Kaliabor. They raised slogans against Gogoi and demanded that the rights and interests of communities living around Kaziranga be protected.
Protesters claimed that local communities had been fighting for their rights for years and that their ancestors had played an important role in protecting Kaziranga from various threats.
One protester said the communities would not surrender any portion of the land where they have traditionally lived.
The protesters also referred to the Assam government’s decision to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone and urged Gogoi not to politicise the issue. Instead, they called upon him to support the demands of local residents and help safeguard their rights.
The protesters warned that the agitation would continue if their concerns were not addressed and said political leaders including Gaurav Gogoi, Ratan Engti and Mira Borthakur would be held responsible for the consequences of any further escalation.
The Eco-Sensitive Zone issue has led to a sharp political confrontation between the ruling party and the Opposition following directions from the Supreme Court and subsequent announcements by the Assam government regarding the protected area.
The protesters maintained that any decision concerning the Eco-Sensitive Zone must take into account the concerns of communities living around Kaziranga and should not undermine their rights over their traditional residential and agricultural land.
The Karbi Students’ Association said it would continue its agitation until the concerns of local residents are properly addressed.
