GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, August 17, said the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park up to 10 kilometres would threaten the survival and livelihood of people living in areas such as Kaliabor and Bokakhat.
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Addressing a press conference at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, Sarma questioned how people living around Kaziranga would survive if the ESZ extended up to their areas.
“If the Eco-Sensitive Zone extends up to Bokakhat and Kaliabor, how will the people there survive?” the Chief Minister asked.
Sarma said residents of Kaliabor and Bokakhat have approached the Supreme Court, seeking the right to continue their businesses and livelihoods around Kaziranga.
He said communities living near the national park have been protesting for the past 10 years, demanding opportunities to conduct businesses and continue living in the area.
“The local public of Kaliabor and Bokakhat have filed a case in the Supreme Court. For the past 10 years, the community living near Kaziranga has been protesting, saying, Give us opportunities to do business, give us opportunities to live. If you chase us away, how will we survive?” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister further argued that a 10-kilometre ESZ around Kaziranga would cover a vast area and have a major impact on several settlements and establishments.
“If you draw 10 km from Kaziranga’s boundary, Gohpur and Biswanath Chariali won’t remain! Numaligarh Refinery will be shut down,” Sarma said.
Sarma also said the Supreme Court guidelines provide for an ESZ of up to three kilometres and claimed that the court was satisfied with the arrangement.
“The Supreme Court said that if the ESZ is a maximum of 3 km, we are satisfied. Our public is even protesting against a 3 km zone,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid the ongoing debate over the extent of the ESZ around Kaziranga and its potential impact on communities, businesses and infrastructure located around the national park.