NGT asks Assam government to clear its stand on ecosensitive zone around Kaziranga

GUWAHATI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has asked Assam government to clear its stand on the declaration of eco-sensitive zone and how it has permitted large-scale hotel projects in and around the Kaziranga national park.

In its latest order, the NGT said that state government should submit its “clear stand” in relation to declaration of eco-sensitive zone, pattas which were primarily for agricultural purposes and at best incidental residential construction and how it has resulted in permitting large scale hotels projects in and around the park.

The order which was issued on Tuesday, the NGT also asked the state government’s stand on normal distances from the boundary of the Kaziranga for “spelling out” prohibited and regulatory zones in light of the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“The state will also show as to how all these issues have also been dealt with in the proposed eco-sensitive zone notification,” NGT said in the order in connection with a case RTI activist Rohit Choudhary versus union of India and others.

The state government informed NGT that it has already submitted its proposal for issuance of eco-sensitive zone notification, which is pending before the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF).

The MoEF also informed NGT that it is considering the proposal.

NGT has fixed November 26 as the next date of hearing in presence of Kaziranga national park director and state secretary of environment and forest department.

The 2014 report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Kaziranga National Park- Issues and Challenges, pointed out that in Bokakhat circle 29 resorts and dhabas have been running for 40 years on land within two to three kilometer of the Kaziranga national park boundary. The majority of the land belonged to “agricultural class”. The report also found that even government land under Bokakhat circle has been used for resort.

The CAG report also said that under Kaliabor circle, 71 dhabas, resort and other commercial establishments were running without “no objection certificate” from the park authorities. The report further pointed out that out of 71 units, 62 of them were running within one kilometer and remaining nine within three kilometer from Kaziranga boundary.