BOKAKHAT, June 15 � Conflict between the local people and the Kaziranga National Park authority is on the rise regarding the issue of the area within a 10-km radius of the national park being declared an ecosensitive zone, as per the orders of the Supreme Court. The park authority in response to the SC�s order, has collected opinion from different organisations including students, journalists, political and non-political organisations (NGOs), etc., of the locality.
As a part of this mission, a meeting was organised by the KNP authority on June 13, where leading citizens, NGOs working on nature-related issues, journalists etc., were present. It may be mentioned that a good number of persons from the public opposed the ecosensitive zone and posed tough questions to the Director of KNP, NK Yadav and the DFO Swapan Kumar Shil Sarma. Tempers flared and an unruly situation ensued for which the public opinion to be collected through approach letters (queries) could not be done.
The people of the locality think that the declaration of an ecosensitive zone will forbid them from celebrations like marriage ceremony, feasts etc., on the plea of sound and environmental pollution. The Director of the KNP clarified that this was not the case. He said there will not be any restrictions of that nature on the common people, rather the declaration of the ecosensitive zone, would put a curb on the building of five or six star hotels and stop the excavation of hills.
The Director also appealed to the public to give their opinion through the approach letters (questionnaires) which are to be sent before June 30. If this is not done, the KNP authority will be bound to follow the directions of the Supreme Court.