Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress over its protests against the proposed changes to the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park, saying the protection of the World Heritage Site cannot be ensured through social media posts or political demonstrations.
Reacting to the Congress’ campaign over the Kaziranga ESZ issue, Sarma said Congress leader and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi cannot protect Kaziranga and asserted that the responsibility for protecting the national park ultimately lies with the people living in and around the area.
“Gaurav Gogoi cannot protect Kaziranga. Kaziranga’s protection will not happen on Instagram. The local people will have to protect Kaziranga,” Sarma said, taking a direct swipe at the Congress MP.
He further said the Congress should not speak about Kaziranga and criticised the party for holding protests over the issue.
“If there is no shame and no clothes, let Congress speak,” the Chief Minister said in a strongly worded remark, adding that there was no reason for the Congress to feel embarrassed about raising the issue.
The remarks came amid an escalating political controversy over the proposed reduction of the ESZ around Kaziranga National Park. The Assam government has proposed reducing the existing/proposed 10-km ESZ framework around Kaziranga to a smaller zone, with the state pushing for a buffer of around 1 km to 3 km in different areas.
The Congress has strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that reducing the ESZ could weaken environmental safeguards around Kaziranga and expose the surrounding ecosystem to greater commercial and developmental pressure.
APCC chief Gaurav Gogoi led a protest at Kohora in August, demanding that the proposal be withdrawn. Gogoi has also raised concerns over alleged illegal mining in areas connected to the Kaziranga landscape and questioned the appointment of certain members to the State Wildlife Board.
He has argued that environmental concerns and mining-related issues should be addressed before changes are made to the ESZ.
The controversy has also seen mobilisation among sections of local residents. Several groups and residents around Kaziranga have supported the government’s proposal, arguing that people living around the national park must have a greater say in determining the ESZ boundary.
Residents in the Kaziranga region have held meetings and protests opposing the Congress’ demand for a wider buffer.
The Congress, meanwhile, has expanded its agitation beyond Kaziranga. August 29, the party organised statewide protests and padayatras in several districts, including Sonitpur, Lakhimpur, Tinsukia, Karbi Anglong and Golaghat, demanding withdrawal of the proposed ESZ reduction.
The dispute has therefore evolved into a wider political battle over conservation, development and the rights of communities living around Kaziranga.
Sarma’s latest remarks are expected to intensify the confrontation between the BJP-led Assam government and the Congress over the future of the iconic national park.
