With encroachment and unplanned activities threatening the Kaziranga National Park, a world heritage site, and its surrounding green areas, the National Green Tribunal has asked the Centre if it is proposing any notification on eco-sensitive zone or any guidelines for activities allowed in and around KNP.
The counsel for MoEF was asked to take clear instructions as to “whether MoEF is proposing to issue any draft notification in relation to Kaziranga Eco Sensitive Zone or otherwise. Further, if MoEF has issued any guidelines in regard to activity that can be carried out or the construction that can be raised in or around the Kaziranga National Park.” It is to be noted that the CAG had in its audit report mentioned how delay in notifying the eco-sensitive zone had put Kaziranga National Park, home to largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, at risk of encroachment, poaching and commercial activities.
There are at present over 71 hotels, resorts and dhabas, which have encroached into the eco-sensitive zone of the Park and running the business within one to three kilometres of the boundary of the Kaziranga National Park where an increasing number of rhinos are becoming victims of poachers.
Meanwhile, the Assam government also came under question for not filing a detailed project report (DPR) with regard to National Highway-37 passing through KNP.
The Bench said this after advocate Ritwick Dutta, appearing for environmental activist Rohit Choudhury pointed out how the DPR with respect to NH 37 to be prepared on NGT's order by the state agencies was also not complete.
“Secretary, Environment and Forest and State of Assam will file a personal affidavit stating as to why the DPR in relation to construction of the road has not been filed,” the Tribunal ordered.
Meanwhile, it also sought to know if the “patta” owners close to the KNP have any absolute right to be where they are.
The patta owners claim that they have the right to be there.
Earlier, the Bench issued notices to all commercial ventures which were named in the CAG report to be encroaching the eco-sensitive zone of KNP.
In August, the NGT had banned construction in and around KNP.
The petitioner has claimed that there were rampant activities like flyovers, mining etc. The CAG report also points at rampant construction and parking on vast stretches of NH-37.s
