The Assam government has overshot the timeframe it had sought from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to remove encroachments from fragile animal corridors of the 1,300 sq. km Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
In a letter to CEC member-secretary Amarnatha Shetty on November 3, 2021, Assam Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua sought three months’ time for removing encroachments and taking penal action against the violators of an April 2019 order of the Supreme Court banning new construction on private lands that form part of Kaziranga’s nine identified animal corridors.
Seven of these corridors – Amguri, Bagori, Chirang, Deosur, Harmati, Hatidandi and Kanchanjuri – are in the Nagaon district while Haldibari and Panbari are in the adjoining Golaghat district.
The CEC had in October 2021 sought action against the encroachers on the basis of a complaint by environment activist Rohit Choudhury, who said the Supreme Court’s order was being blatantly violated in at least eight animal corridors.
“The deputy commissioners of Nagaon and Golaghat districts have issued notices to the owners of dhabas, restaurants and resorts on the animal corridors. Action is being taken,” Mr Barua told The Hindu.
Administrative officials in the two districts said encroachments and constructions before the 2019 Supreme Court order were being assessed while all ongoing construction activities on the animal corridors have been stopped. “We are waiting for instructions to take further action,” an official said.
But in September 2021, a report sought by the CEC found instances of violations of the Supreme Court’s order in eight of the nine animal corridors. The report was prepared by Laetitia J. Syiemiong, the Deputy Inspector General of Forest (Central) of the Environment Ministry’s office in Meghalaya capital Shillong.
The inspection team found constructions of a temple, shops, hotels, dhabas, restaurants, tea estates and even a government building on eight animal corridors. Its report flagged a total lack of coordination between district administration, forest department and police, which was why no action was being taken to remove constructions despite repeated attempts.
“The animal corridors are crucial for the Kaziranga animals that move to the hills beyond during high floods and return when the water recedes. Delay in complying with the apex court’s order will affect the movement of the animals,” a Kaziranga official said.
