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Politics
Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika Challenges Critics Over Kaziranga ESZ Policy
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 20 Aug 2026, 01:59 PM
👁 4
Assam’s forest minister Pijush Hazarika questioned the criticism surrounding the Eco‑Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga, highlighting the shift from calls to scrap it to demands to preserve it.
Assam’s forest minister, Pijush Hazarika, addressed the ongoing debate over the Eco‑Sensitive Zone (ESZ) that surrounds Kaziranga National Park. He noted that earlier sections of the public and some officials had urged the government to scrap the ESZ, but the current discourse now emphasizes the need to protect it.
The minister pointed out that the ESZ serves as a buffer to safeguard the park’s unique biodiversity, especially its famed one‑horned rhinoceros, from encroachment and unregulated development. He asked critics to consider the scientific and conservation rationale behind the zone rather than focusing solely on short‑term economic interests.
Hazarika also urged a balanced approach that allows sustainable livelihoods for local communities while maintaining the ecological integrity of Kaziranga. He called for constructive dialogue among stakeholders to ensure that any policy adjustments are grounded in both environmental science and socio‑economic realities.
The remarks come as the state government reviews development proposals near the park, seeking to align them with national wildlife protection guidelines. No immediate policy change was announced, but the minister signalled that the ESZ will remain a priority in future planning.
The minister pointed out that the ESZ serves as a buffer to safeguard the park’s unique biodiversity, especially its famed one‑horned rhinoceros, from encroachment and unregulated development. He asked critics to consider the scientific and conservation rationale behind the zone rather than focusing solely on short‑term economic interests.
Hazarika also urged a balanced approach that allows sustainable livelihoods for local communities while maintaining the ecological integrity of Kaziranga. He called for constructive dialogue among stakeholders to ensure that any policy adjustments are grounded in both environmental science and socio‑economic realities.
The remarks come as the state government reviews development proposals near the park, seeking to align them with national wildlife protection guidelines. No immediate policy change was announced, but the minister signalled that the ESZ will remain a priority in future planning.