Guwahati, Aug 12 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday clarified that the existing 10-km provision around Kaziranga National Park will continue to remain applicable until the state government formally notifies the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), stressing that the recent Supreme Court direction should not be interpreted as an immediate reduction of the existing provision.
Addressing a press conference, CM Sarma said the Supreme Court’s reference to the one km ESZ did not mean that the existing 10-km provision had automatically been scrapped.
He said the distance that would ultimately apply around Kaziranga would be determined through the formal notification issued by the state government.
“The Supreme Court has said that the Eco-Sensitive Zone will be within one kilometre. This is not about reducing the existing zone. Until the state government notifies the Eco-Sensitive Zone, the 10-kilometre provision will continue to apply,” CM Sarma said.
The Chief Minister said maintaining a 10-km zone could have a significant impact on several populated areas located around Kaziranga, including Kaliabor, Dabhaka, Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat.
He said a wider ESZ could create difficulties for a large number of people living and carrying out economic activities in these areas.
CM Sarma also appealed to people and various stakeholders to read the Supreme Court order carefully before reaching conclusions about its implications.
“People are saying many things without properly understanding the issue. We need to carefully read and understand the Supreme Court’s order,” he said.
Explaining the process for finalising an ESZ, CM Sarma said the state Forest Department would first prepare the proposal.
The state government would then forward it to the Centre, following which the proposal would be placed before the National Board for Wildlife.
According to CM Sarma, one kilometre is generally considered the normal extent of an ESZ, although the zone can be expanded up to three kilometres depending on specific circumstances.
He referred to the recently notified ESZ around Deepor Beel in Assam, where the zone has been fixed at one kilometre. The Chief Minister said there was no universal requirement for every protected area to have a 10-km ESZ.
CM Sarma reiterated that the existing 10-km provision around Kaziranga would remain in force until the state government issues its formal notification, after which the notified distance would become applicable.
–IANS
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