Dibrugarh: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Sunday held a protest rally in Dibrugarh against the state government’s proposal to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km.
Congress workers carrying placards and banners marched from the puja field at Borbaruah tea estate to Sukapha Bhawan, where the protest concluded. The rally was jointly organised by the APCC and the Dibrugarh district Congress Committee.
Dibrugarh Congress president Bipul Rabha said the proposed reduction could adversely affect Kaziranga’s wildlife and environment.
“The government’s proposal of reducing the ESZ of Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km will have an adverse effect on the wildlife and environment of Kaziranga National Park. We will not allow the BJP-led government to damage Kaziranga National Park, which is our pride,” Rabha said.
The controversy stems from the Assam government’s plan to send a proposal to the Centre to reduce the buffer zone around Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, from the default 10 km to between 1 km and 3 km.
Commercial activities in an ESZ are prohibited, regulated or permitted under prescribed norms, depending on their nature.