Despite SC ban, mining in Kaziranga National Park goes on unabated

Despite a ban ordered by the Supreme Court on the mining along the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam and Karbi Anglong hill ranges in 2019, a report by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), an apex court’s panel, has stated that the illegal activity continues unabated in the eco-sensitive zone.

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The CEC submitted a fresh report to the SC after it received an anonymous complaint by a government employee from Assam. The complainant chose to remain anonymous due to the fear of reprisal.

The rampant mining continues in the ‘Parkup Pahar Range’, a declared Wildlife Sanctuary forming the southern boundary of the national park.

“The complainant has alleged that since 2019, mining has not only continued, but has intensified, with a dozen mines operating in the protected area under four licenses issued by the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), which lacks authority to override orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court or statutory environmental protections,” the report said.

The 2019 order of the SC  states: “All kind of mining and related activities along the aforesaid Kaziranga National Park and in the entire catchment area of rivers or streams and rivulets originating in Karbi Anglong Hill ranges and flowing into the park, including the tiger reserve, are restrained.”

The report said the mining permits were being issued within the eco-sensitive zone area of KNP without obtaining prior sanction of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). It highlighted that the officials working under the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council did not have any authority to grant mining permits as the subject of mining had not been transferred to the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council by the Assam Government.

The long-term impact of mining on wildlife conservation is irreversible and calls for immediate action, the report said. The satellite imagery also shows the reduction in the green area of the national park.

Assam's Forest Department told the CEC that the stone quarries falling under the proposed eco-sensitive zone of the Kaziranga National Park and tiger reserve under the Parkup Pahar Range jurisdiction had been suspended for operation in compliance with the SC order. The Kaziranga National Park is home to 2613 rhinos and 135 tigers.