Petitioner Rajeev Bhattacharyya has lodged a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Gauhati High Court concerning the absence of an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The PIL emphasizes the park’s critical role as a sanctuary for endangered species and underscores the ecological threats posed by the lack of an ESZ.
Despite a central government directive dating back to 2002, instructing states to designate ESZs around national parks, the Assam government has yet to comply. An ESZ is crucial as it acts as a buffer zone, safeguarding wildlife from human encroachment and environmental harm. The Supreme Court reinforced this mandate in 2006, urging timely notifications, yet Assam’s proposals have been repeatedly rejected for being incomplete.
A significant concern in the petition is the unchecked development of resorts and structures within nine animal corridors leading to Kaziranga, which disrupts wildlife movements and habitat integrity. Moreover, the lack of action on the Supreme Court’s prior orders from 2013 and 2019 to stop mining in the bordering Karbi Anglong district further exacerbates the ecological crisis.
Bhattacharyya’s plea stresses that Assam’s inaction, despite directives from both the Supreme Court and central authorities, necessitates a thorough investigation. The petition calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry to address potential negligence or misconduct.
On October 24, 2024, the Gauhati High Court chose to keep the PIL pending, awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on illegal mining activities in Karbi Anglong. Bhattacharyya demands immediate action to protect Kaziranga’s biodiversity, urging for the swift establishment of the ESZ and the removal of illegal structures in violation of Supreme Court mandates concerning wildlife corridors.
