Assam Congress Protests Kaziranga Eco-Zone Shrink

Guwahati: Assam Congress workers hit the streets across the state on August 29. They marched in Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Hailakandi, Karimganj, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong, and Golaghat. Protesters demanded the government drop plans to shrink the Kaziranga National Park Eco-Sensitive Zone. The proposal aims to cut the buffer from the default 10-kilometer limit down to a range of 1 to 3 kilometers.

Dispur turned into a flashpoint. Police blocked party leaders, including Wazed Ali Choudhury, Ripun Bora, and Mira Borthakur, from exiting the local Congress office. Workers shoved against barricades in a bid to reach the streets. Choudhury made the party stance clear during the standoff. "We will not allow the BJP-led government to damage Kaziranga National Park, which is our pride. We will not relent till the decision is reversed," he said.

Critics fear the move triggers a surge in mining and tourism near the park and the Karbi Anglong elephant corridor. Environmentalists warn of increased human-animal conflict and degradation of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma claims the move protects the livelihoods of villagers currently inside the zone. Congress leadership vowed to intensify the fight.