Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma fired back at Congress critics on Monday, August 17. He slammed the party for opposing a planned shrink of the eco-sensitive zone surrounding Kaziranga National Park. The current default boundary reaches 10 kilometers. Sarma intends to drop that to between 1 and 3 kilometers. This follows specific directions from the Supreme Court.
Residents in Bokakhat and Kaliabor face dire prospects if the current rules stand. They have already taken their fight to the high court. Sarma claims locals have spent years protesting restrictions that threaten their homes and businesses. He challenged Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to acknowledge the reality on the ground. During a live interaction, Sarma questioned the opposition: "If the eco-sensitive zone is 10 km from Bokakhat to Kaliabor, how will people live there?"
The policy change avoids mass displacement. The 10-kilometer buffer would wipe out economic hubs, including the Numaligarh Refinery. Sarma emphasized that the welfare of local citizens takes priority over rigid zoning. The government is also looking at new medical aid for wildlife. The organization Vantara offered technical help to set up hospitals for injured elephants. Human-elephant conflict remains a constant threat in the region. Sarma confirmed officials are reviewing the Vantara offer now. "We will examine it. We are welcoming it, and if it suits us, we will take it," he said.
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