Concerns Raised Over Kaziranga National Park's Environmental Safety

Environmental Concerns at Kaziranga National Park

Guwahati, June 17: Allegations have emerged suggesting that the State government is exhibiting a contradictory approach regarding the ecosystem of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR). While the government publicly commits to protecting the wildlife within the National Park, it simultaneously permits activities that jeopardize the ecosystem.

Rohit Choudhury, an RTI and environmental activist, highlighted the Latabari Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Dumping Site and Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) established by the Bokakhat Municipal Board along the Diffloo River as a prime example of this issue.

In a recent correspondence to the Chief Secretary, Choudhury expressed disappointment over the lack of response to his previous letters dated August 29, October 29, and December 9 and 21, 2024, urging immediate action to relocate the Latabari dumping site in accordance with legal requirements.

Choudhury emphasized that the actions of the Bokakhat Municipal Board pose a significant threat to the ecology of KNP&TR, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He criticized the Pollution Control Board of Assam for overlooking violations of the Solid Waste Management Rules (SWMR), 2016, while granting the ‘Consent to Establish’ (CTE) for this project.

He referenced a Supreme Court ruling from April 12, 2019, in Writ Petition No. 202/1995 regarding TN Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India and Others, warning that any contamination of the Diffloo River would breach the court's order, potentially leading to contempt proceedings against officials from both the Central and State governments, including those from the Pollution Control Board of Assam.

The SWMR, 2016 stipulates that landfill sites must be located at least 100 meters from rivers, 200 meters from ponds, highways, residential areas, public parks, and water supply wells, and 20 kilometers from airports unless reduced distances are approved by relevant authorities.

However, the Latabari dumping site is situated only 60 meters from the Diffloo River, which flows into KNP&TR. Additionally, it is within 200 meters of human settlements and National Highway 37, and lies in the floodplains of the Diffloo, placing it within the Ecosensitive Zone (ESZ) of KNP&TR, according to Choudhury.

He noted that heavy rains on May 30, 2025, caused the Diffloo to overflow, flooding the Latabari garbage site. Given that the Diffloo feeds into KNP&TR, this raises serious concerns about potential water contamination, threatening the park's diverse flora and fauna.