Context
- Alleged mining activities near the Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong landscape have raised concerns over the protection of wildlife corridors, elephant movement routes and ecological connectivity. The issue has also highlighted the role of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the regulation of activities within Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).
Why Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong is An Important Ecological Landscape?
- Kaziranga is not an isolated protected area. Its ecological security is closely linked with the forested Karbi Anglong Hills.
- During floods in the Brahmaputra floodplains, animals move towards the relatively elevated Karbi Anglong landscape. Thus, wildlife corridors between these areas are crucial for maintaining habitat connectivity and seasonal animal movement.
Wildlife Corridors: Why are They Important?
A wildlife corridor is a stretch of habitat that connects fragmented habitats and enables the movement of animals between them.
Major Functions
- Maintains ecological connectivity
- Enables seasonal migration and dispersal
- Provides access to food, water and breeding areas
- Reduces habitat isolation
- Supports gene flow between wildlife populations
The Assam government has identified nine animal corridors connecting Kaziranga National Park with the Karbi Anglong Hills.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC)
- The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was established in connection with the Supreme Court’s forest and environmental jurisprudence, particularly the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad case.
Key Functions
The CEC is empowered to:
- Monitor compliance with Supreme Court orders relating to forests and wildlife
- Examine complaints and applications from aggrieved persons
- Report instances of non-compliance and environmental concerns to the appropriate authorities.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Kaziranga National Park Central Empowered Committee (CEC) |
Q. With reference to the Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong landscape, consider the following statements:
1. The Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve is the largest elephant reserve in Assam.
2. Wildlife corridors connecting Kaziranga National Park with the Karbi Anglong Hills facilitate ecological connectivity and animal movement.
3. Eco-Sensitive Zones around protected areas must necessarily have a uniform width throughout the boundary of the protected area.
4. The Central Empowered Committee is associated with monitoring compliance with Supreme Court orders relating to forests and wildlife.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only
• Statement 1 – Correct: Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve (~3,270 sq km) is Assam’s largest elephant reserve.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Wildlife corridors connect Kaziranga with Karbi Anglong, enabling animal movement and ecological connectivity.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: ESZ width is site-specific and need not be uniform.
• Statement 4 – Correct: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) monitors compliance with Supreme Court directions on forests and wildlife.