Congress Protests Against Eco-Sensitive Zone Reduction Near Kaziranga
Protest Against Government's Mining Plans
Members of APCC, including chief Gaurav Gogoi (3rd from right) staging a protest in Kaziranga, on Monday. (AT Photo)
Guwahati, Aug 17: On Monday, the Congress party voiced strong opposition to the Assam government's plans to reduce the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) surrounding Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, claiming it would facilitate illegal coal mining and large-scale mining operations in the area.
During a protest held near the national park, members of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) accused the ruling BJP government of prioritizing corporate interests over the preservation of the environment and wildlife.
APCC chief Gaurav Gogoi expressed concern, stating, “After the destruction caused by illegal coal mining in Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat, we expected the Chief Minister to learn from these events. Instead, he seems focused on legitimizing illegal mining and expanding operations in the Karbi Anglong hills, which is why they are attempting to modify the eco-sensitive zone.”
Gogoi warned that reducing the eco-sensitive zone from 10 km to just 1 km could have dire consequences for wildlife, especially during the annual floods.
“When floods occur in Kaziranga, animals do not recognize boundaries. They flee to nearby villages and tea gardens for safety. If mining activities encircle the park, where will these animals escape to?” he questioned.
He further noted that this change could worsen human-elephant conflicts and criticized the government for disregarding local concerns.
Gogoi also highlighted the plight of indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley, claiming that those who oppose such projects face severe repercussions.
“Activists like Pranab Doley are targeted and imprisoned under false allegations, facing the National Security Act for merely speaking out,” he stated.
He raised concerns about the government's response to Assam's persistent flood issues, pointing out that while a proposed elevated corridor near Kaziranga is estimated to cost around Rs 7,000 crore, flood management has not received similar funding.
“The Union government has allocated only Rs 324 crore from our own State Disaster Response Fund for flood management. If there are funds for a Rs 7,000-crore project, why can't we secure similar resources for flood protection?” he asked.
During the protest, senior Congress leader and president of the Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress, Mira Borthakur, emphasized that Kaziranga's global significance lies in its biodiversity and wildlife, not in large commercial developments.
“What kind of development are they referring to if we cannot sustain biodiversity? We need progress, but not at the expense of wildlife and nature,” she asserted.
After the protest, Gogoi visited Doley's family in Ingle Pathar near Kaziranga, where he met Doley's father and alleged that the Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's government has falsely accused the activist of sedition for defending indigenous land rights. He assured the family of Congress's support in their legal battle.