EnvironmentMonday, 17 August 2026·The Hindu - Environment
Kaziranga ESZ debate: 10 km default buffer, 1 km proposal and NBWL rules
Assam plans to seek a 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone for Kaziranga, while current rules keep a default 10 km buffer unless site-specific notification is approved.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the Assam government said it would approach the Centre to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve to 1 km, even though the default buffer under current rules remains 10 km unless a site-specific notification is approved.
Key specifics
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) adopted a resolution in 2002 to declare buffer zones around protected areas under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued ESZ guidance in 2011 under the National Wildlife Action Plan 2002-2016.
- The general ESZ guideline allows a buffer of up to 10 km from the periphery of a protected area.
- Assam has 8 national parks and more than 20 existing and proposed wildlife sanctuaries, with site-specific ESZs varying by location.
- The July 2025 draft notification for Deepor Beel proposed an ESZ from 25.294 metres to 5 km and mentioned an ESZ area of 38.84 sq. km.
Exam lens
Question type: environment and protected areas, ESZ, NBWL 2002, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, MoEFCC 2011, 10 km rule, Kaziranga and Deepor Beel. TNPSC may ask the legal basis and default distance for Eco-Sensitive Zones.