GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) staged a protest in Kohora on Monday, August 17, opposing the Assam government’s proposal to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km.
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The protest was centred on concerns over the proposed dilution of environmental safeguards around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several senior Congress leaders, including state party president Gaurav Gogoi, Meera Borthakur, former MLA Durlav Chamua, Shivamoni Bora, Pranati Phukan and Satyabrata Kalita, participated in the demonstration.
The Congress has argued that reducing the ESZ could have implications for wildlife conservation and the ecological security of Kaziranga and its surrounding areas. The party has urged the state government to withdraw the proposal and retain strong environmental safeguards around the national park.
In a social media post, the Congress described Kaziranga as one of Assam’s most valuable natural treasures and accused the government of prioritising commercial interests over conservation.
“Stop selling Kaziranga to your corporate friends,” the party said while opposing the proposed reduction.
The protest comes amid growing political opposition to the proposed change, with the APCC maintaining that the protection of Kaziranga’s wildlife and ecosystem must remain the priority.