GUWAHATIAssam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday (August 12, 2026) defended the State government’s move to notify a 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Kaziranga National Park. Citing a Supreme Court ruling, he said the ESZ around a protected area can be at least 1 km. “The Supreme Court said the ESZ can be 1 km [from the periphery of a protected area]. He was being criticised by some people who did not understand the issue, he said, advising them to examine the Supreme Court order before arriving at conclusions. The Supreme Court modified the order in April 2023, while retaining the 1-km clause.