Guwahati: Congress workers gathered in Kohora on Monday to oppose the Assam government’s plan to bring down the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to 1 km.
The protest was led by Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Gaurav Gogoi.
The party said reducing the ESZ could affect the environmental safeguards in place around the national park and create concerns for wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem.
Among those present at the demonstration were Gogoi, Congress leaders Meera Borthakur, former MLA Durlav Chamua, Shivamoni Bora, Pranati Phukan and Satyabrata Kalita.
The Congress called for the proposal to be withdrawn and sought continued environmental protection around Kaziranga, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In a post on social media, the party called Kaziranga a major natural asset of Assam and said commercial interests should not take precedence over conservation.
The party used the phrase “Stop selling Kaziranga to your corporate friends” while objecting to the proposed change in the ESZ.
The APCC said the proposed reduction has drawn political opposition and maintained that environmental and wildlife concerns must be considered before any change is made to Kaziranga’s protected zone.
The party asked the government to review the plan, saying environmental concerns should guide decisions on Kaziranga and the neighbouring areas.