NGT orders surprise inspection of road abutting Kaziranga park

The tribunal has also asked about the steps taken by the State of Assam to prevent animal deaths on roads caused due to vehicular traffic

The sad state of affairs at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, where animals continue to become victims of poaching, commercial activities and vehicular traffic, has invited the National Green Tribunal’s wrath.

On Thursday, the NGT directed the “Director of Kaziranga National Park to conduct a surprise inspection of the road abutting the Kaziranga National Park and steps that have been taken by the State of Assam in regard to prevention of animal deaths on the roads by the vehicular traffic”.

The tribunal has also sought the personal presence of the Secretary (State of Assam), Senior Officer from the Ministry of Surface and Road Transport, and Director of the Kaziranga National Park on December 9.

The Director has also been told to file a complete report on various aspects concerning hotels, projects and other commercial activities that have or are coming up within 10 kms of the national park.

“He shall also file a list of the constructions or activity, which are offending the distance of 10 km as contemplated under the orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the tribunal ordered while hearing a petition filed by activist Rohit Choudhury.

It is to be noted that the NGT had recently asked the Centre and the Assam government to inform it about the steps taken to notify an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around the national park.

Till the time an ESZ is notified, it is considered to be a 10-km radius, as per Supreme Court orders.

The CAG had recently highlighted in its report how commercial ventures such as dhabas, hotels and eco-clubs have come up within less than one to three km from the boundary of the park. It had also shown how lack of skilled manpower and laidback attitude led to the death of animals, including one-horned rhinoceros.