# Kaziranga ESZ dispute escalates into legal and civil unrest > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kaziranga-national-park-eco-sensitive-zone-dispute > Updated: 2026-08-29T12:31:29.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 5. The dispute regarding the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) surrounding Kaziranga National Park has escalated into legal challenges and civil unrest. While the Assam government previously indicated the 10-kilometer buffer would remain until a formal notification is issued, local residents and activists are actively challenging the radius. Protesters have approached the Supreme Court to seek a reduction to between 1 and 3 kilometers, arguing the current zone restricts livelihoods and businesses in areas such as Kaliabor and Bokakhat. Tensions have further intensified due to opposition to a proposed luxury resort at Inglay Pathar. Protests against this development resulted in police action, including legal cases involving allegations of unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal intimidation. Notably, prominent opponent Pranab Doley was arrested and subsequently detained under the National Security Act after being granted bail by a sessions court. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has indicated the state intends to propose a reduction of the ESZ to a range of 1 to 3 kilometers to balance conservation with the needs of indigenous communities and essential infrastructure. The government maintains that high-end tourism supports economic growth and employment. This proposal has triggered political opposition, with the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) launching statewide protests. Rallies have been held in districts including Sonitpur, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Hailakandi, Karimganj, and Dibrugarh. Congress leaders argue that shrinking the ESZ will threaten wildlife corridors, forests, and wetlands, potentially prioritizing commercial interests over the ecological security of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-29: Kaziranga National Park: Congress protests proposed ESZ reduction The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee is staging statewide protests against a government proposal to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park from 10 km to as little as 1 km. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaziranga-national-park-congress-protests-proposed-esz-reduction ### 2026-08-20: Kaziranga National Park faces ecological threats from land-use changes The IUCN and a Supreme Court panel have raised alarms over threats to Kaziranga National Park, citing planned reductions to its eco-sensitive zone and ongoing mining in the Karbi Anglong hills. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaziranga-national-park-faces-scrutiny-over-eco-sensitive-zone-plans ### 2026-08-17: Kaziranga National Park faces disputes over development and Eco-Sensitive Zone Protests and legal challenges are mounting in Assam over the Eco-Sensitive Zone radius and luxury development near Kaziranga National Park, impacting local livelihoods and land rights. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaziranga-national-park-faces-disputes-over-development-and-eco-sensitive-zone ### 2026-08-13: Assam CM maintains 10-km buffer around Kaziranga National Park Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the 10-km Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga National Park remains active until a formal state notification is issued, despite Supreme Court references to a 1-km zone. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/assam-cm-maintains-10-km-buffer-around-kaziranga-national-park ### 2026-08-10: Assam plans to reduce Kaziranga National Park eco-sensitive zone to 1km Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma plans to reduce the Kaziranga National Park's Eco-Sensitive Zone from 10km to 1km to aid development, sparking environmentalist concerns over wildlife habitats. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/assam-plans-to-reduce-kaziranga-national-park-eco-sensitive-zone-to-1km --- Cite as: Kaziranga ESZ dispute escalates into legal and civil unrest. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kaziranga-national-park-eco-sensitive-zone-dispute