Assam wants Kaziranga’s Eco-Sensitive Zone cut to 1-3 km from 10 km to facilitate urban growth. But shrinking this protective belt could expose the park to greater encroachment
Kaziranga has 2,613 one-horned rhinos, 148 tigers and over 1,550 elephants. Protecting these species requires space extending well beyond human-drawn park boundaries
Monsoon floods force wildlife towards the Karbi-Anglong highlands. National Highway 715 and illegal mining already threaten this vital migration route
In 2023, the Supreme Court rejected a uniform ESZ rule, saying limits should reflect local geography and ecological needs. Assam is using this flexibility to seek a smaller buffer
Kaziranga generated a record ₹8.8 crore in tourism revenue in 2024. Its ecosystem also sustains guides, drivers, hospitality businesses and other local livelihoods
Bannerghatta shows the risks of sacrificing buffers to urban sprawl. Kaziranga’s development needs must be balanced with conservation, not pursued by weakening its safeguards