Guwahati: The Assam Environmental NGO Forum has ignited a firestorm over proposed luxury developments in the Kaziranga National Park landscape.
In a strongly worded letter to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the forum urged a complete reevaluation of the chosen sites due to their critical role in wildlife conservation.
The letter, signed by leading conservationists like Mubina Akhtar, Moloy Baruah, Nitul SivNath, Jayanta Kumar Das, and Apurba Ballav Goswami specifically takes aim at a proposed 30-acre site near the Kohora Range, earmarked for a five-star hotel and luxury resort complex.
This area, part of a deal signed with Hyatt Hotels last September, is known for its rich biodiversity, particularly as prime habitat for elephants and other threatened species.
The forum argues that constructing these facilities within Kaziranga will disrupt crucial natural corridors and refuges.
They highlight the importance of these areas for elephants, rhinos, tigers, and other wildlife, especially during floods. Disrupting these natural pathways could have disastrous consequences for both animals and nearby communities.
“Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global conservation success story. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the collective efforts of countless stakeholders over generations. We urge the government to prioritize the park’s unique ecosystem and strike a sustainable balance with development goals,” the letter read.
The forum emphasizes the need to carefully balance development with the protection of this irreplaceable ecosystem. Their concerns echo a recent Supreme Court warning about the dangers of escalating human-wildlife conflict.
Acknowledging the importance of tourism for Assam’s economic well-being, the forum proposes alternative locations for the hospitality projects. Areas like Kaliabor or Jakhalabandha in Nagaon district, Bokakhat in Golaghat district, or even Tezpur and Biswanath are suggested as potential sites that could accommodate development without jeopardizing Kaziranga’s ecological health.
The forum urged the Assam government to adopt sustainable development policies that prioritize the protection and restoration of Assam’s unique biodiversity alongside economic growth.