Guwahati/Nalbari, Aug 29: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), on Saturday, staged statewide protests against the Assam government’s proposed move to reduce the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve from 10 km to 1 km. Congress workers took out padyatras and staged demonstrations in several districts, including Sonitpur, Sivasagar, Lakhimpur, Hailakandi and Karimganj, besides other parts of the State.

The party alleged that reducing the ESZ would threaten wildlife corridors, forests, wetlands and the region’s biodiversity. In Guwahati, Congress leaders and workers staged a demonstration at the Manabendra Sarma Complex in Dispur.

Security deployed at Manabendra Sarma Complex. (Photo: Kangkan Bordoloi) Addressing the protesters, Assam Mahila Congress president Mira Borthakur questioned the government’s approach to development and alleged that commercial interests are being prioritised over Kaziranga’s ecological security.

“We need development, but the Chief Minister’s definition of development is different,” she said, adding that the Supreme Court had not directed the State to reduce Kaziranga’s ESZ to 1 km, but had stipulated a minimum protection zone of one kilometre. “Kaziranga is Assam’s future and pride.

The wildlife of Kaziranga cannot come out and hold placards. It is we who have to carry placards saying ‘Save Kaziranga’ and protest for their safety,” Borthakur said.

Appealing to people across Assam to recognise the consequences of ecological degradation, she referred to the recent disasters in Nepal and floods in Upper Assam. “If we fail to sustain our hills, vegetation and ecological balance, we will not survive for long.

We have to save Kaziranga to keep both ourselves and wildlife alive,” she said, warning against the impact of unchecked mining and the destruction of the Karbi Anglong hills. Congress members protesting at Manabendra Sarma Complex.

(Photo: Kangkan Bordoloi) Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora, meanwhile, raised allegations over delays and irregularities in the distribution of interim flood relief and demanded a CBI investigation into the matter. He alleged irregularities in the disbursal of the Rs 15,000 interim assistance and sought clarification from the State government.

“If the Assam Chief Minister issponsible towards the people of Assam, then we demand a proper CBI investigation into the delay and alleged corruption in the distribution of interim relief aid to flood-affected families,” Bora said. In Sonitpur, Congress workers staged similar protests against the proposed ESZ reduction.