Lok Sabha Question No. 1205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-28
Subject: Diversion of Eco-Sensitive Land near Kaziranga National Park
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1205

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025

## Diversion of Eco-Sensitive Land near Kaziranga National Park

## 1205.   SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  diversion  of  eco-sensitive  land  near Kaziranga  National  Park  in  Assam  particularly  in  areas  like  Numaligarh  and Dolamara,  for  commercial  or  infrastructure  projects  despite  its  UNESCO  World Heritage status, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has cleared these diversions in consultation with the State Government and the Central Empowered Committee, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  any  violations  of  the  Supreme  Court's  orders  or  environmental  guidelines have been reported in these areas, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  any  additional  measures  are  being  taken  to  prevent  further  ecological degradation around Kaziranga and ensure the strict protection of its buffer and fringe zones and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) and (b) Proposals  for  diversions  of  land  in  Eco  sensitive  zones  are  submitted  by  the State  Government/Union  Territory  Administration  for  consideration  of  the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL) after due recommendation  of  the  State  Board  for  Wild  Life  headed  by  the  respective Chief Ministers/Administrators. The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL), which also includes eminent ecologists, conservationists and environmentalists, takes informed decisions on the proposals  placed  for  its  consideration.The  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL)is shared to Central Empowered Committee (CEC)for further needful as per the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

Two proposals for diversion were recommended by the SCNBWL including

- (i) Proposal  for  construction  of  4-lane  Tunnel  Connectivity  across River  Brahmaputra  between  Gohpur  (on  NH-15)  North  Bank  and Numaligarh (on NH715)  South  Bank in Assam  in the 84th

SCNBWL meeting and

- (ii) Proposal for widening and improvement of existing carriage way to 4  Lane  Configuration  from  Kaliabor  to  Numaligarh  section  in  the 78th SCNBWL meeting.
- (c)& (d) The  State  Government  has  reported  that  certain  mining  activities  in  the KarbiAnglong  region  are  in  violation  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court's  Order dated 12.04.2019 in I.A. No. 42944/2019 in W.P. (C) No. 202/1995. The said order,  inter  alia,  directs  as  follows  'Ban  forthwith  all  types  of  mining  and related activities along  the southern  boundary  of the Kaziranga  National Park (KNP)  and  in  the  entire  catchment  area  of  the  rivers,  streams,  and  rivulets originating  in  the  KarbiAnglong  Hill  ranges  and  flowing  into  Kaziranga National Park.'

The State Government has informed that, in order to ensure strict compliance with  the  directions  of  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  and  to  safeguard  the ecological integrity of Kaziranga National Park and its adjoining environmentally  sensitive  catchment  areas,  orders  have  been  issued  for  the closure of 28 stone quarries and 18 stone crushers operating under the Northern Range,  Dolamara.  Additionally,  10  mining  permits,  along  with  associated operational areas related to stone extraction, sand mahals, and sand-cum-gravel mining contracts (MCAs) in the Rangsali area of the division, have also been shut down.

Further, the Government has taken significant steps to mitigate the risk of road accidents of wild animalsand ecological degradation around Kaziranga National Park which inter alia includes the following:

- i. Construction of underpasses, elevated corridors, and culverts to facilitate safe passage of animals across highways.
- ii. Identification  and  protection  of  wildlife  corridors  to  maintain  habitat connectivity and minimize the need for animals to cross roads.
- iii. Installation  of  eco-friendly  barriers  and  fencing  along  roads  to  guide animals toward designated safe crossing points.
- iv. Implementation of speed-reducing measures such as rumble strips and speed breakers near wildlife crossing zones.
- v. Erection of informative and cautionary signboards to alert drivers about wildlife presence and enforce speed regulations.
- vi. Conduct of public awareness campaigns to educate commuters and local communities on wildlife safety.
- vii. Use  of  camera  traps,  infrared  sensors,  and  drones  to  monitor  animal movement and identify critical hotspots for mitigation.