The Assam government has failed to provide details on illegal construction activities within the critical animal corridors of Kaziranga National Park, despite multiple reminders from a Supreme Court-appointed panel. This silence has raised serious environmental concerns as illegal mining and constructions threaten the fragile ecosystem.
- The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) sought details on illegal constructions in Kaziranga's nine animal corridors in March 2022.
- The Assam government has failed to respond despite reminders sent in 2022 and 2026.
- An RTI filed by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury exposed this complete administrative silence.
The Assam government appears to have completely ignored a Supreme Court-constituted panel's directive to provide a comprehensive list of construction activities along the nine vital animal corridors of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. This silence persists despite the corridors falling within the default 10-km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ).
On March 3, 2022, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) met with the Chief Secretary and other senior Assam government officials in New Delhi. The primary agenda was to review the implementation of the Supreme Court's landmark April 14, 2019, order, which aimed to protect the fragile habitat of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
In that historic ruling, the apex court banned all forms of mining, stone quarrying, and related activities along the southern boundary of the park to protect wildlife and the vital hill catchments of the Karbi Anglong district. Furthermore, the court prohibited any new construction on private lands falling within the nine identified wildlife and animal corridors around the reserve.
The legal action followed a petition filed by Golaghat-based environmental activist Rohit Choudhury, who highlighted rampant illegal stone quarrying threatening the region. Recently, Mr. Choudhury used the Right to Information (RTI) Act to seek an update on the actions taken by the Assam government following the March 2022 meeting.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the administrative delay and refusal to share information point to a larger systemic failure where economic interests or local lobbying might be overriding critical ecological conservation efforts. Continued construction on these corridors directly threatens the seasonal migration patterns of endangered wildlife.
"The survival of Kaziranga's iconic one-horned rhinos depends entirely on the integrity of these corridors; blocking them with concrete structures is an ecological disaster in the making."
Historical Background
Kaziranga National Park is a highly dynamic ecosystem that faces massive annual flooding from the Brahmaputra River. Historically, these nine animal corridors have served as lifelines, allowing rhinos, elephants, and tigers to migrate safely to the higher grounds of the Karbi Anglong hills. Encroachment and construction in these corridors block their escape routes, leading to high animal mortality rates during monsoons.
| Feature | Default Rule | Assam Govt Proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Limit | 10 Kilometers | 1 to 3 Kilometers |
| Permissible Activities | Strict ban on mining & construction | Regulated commercial activities |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why are animal corridors in Kaziranga so important?
A1: They allow wildlife to migrate safely to higher grounds in Karbi Anglong during seasonal floods.
Q2: What did the Supreme Court order in 2019?
A2: The Supreme Court banned mining, quarrying, and new constructions within the identified corridors and eco-sensitive zones.
