IUCN warns Kaziranga faces threats amid ESZ reduction plan

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has warned that unplanned infrastructure, land-use changes, and climate-driven floods threaten Kaziranga National Park's long-term ecological health. The warning comes as the Assam government moves to drastically reduce the park's eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) from the default 10 km to 1-3 km, a move conservationists say could open the door to mining and intrusive tourism on the nearby Karbi Anglong hills.

In its 2025 Conservation Outlook assessment, the IUCN rated Kaziranga as 'Good with Some Concerns,' praising anti-poaching efforts and stable rhino numbers. However, it flagged that changes in surrounding land use are threatening critical animal movement routes, especially pathways linking to the Karbi Anglong hills, which serve as a flood-time refuge for wildlife. The hills form a single ecological block with the park and had previously seen large-scale stone mining before a Supreme Court intervention restored some protection.

Other threats cited include invasive species like Mikania micrantha, unregulated tourism growth, livestock grazing, and the persistent risk of rhino poaching. The IUCN called for adaptive conservation strategies, improved community partnerships, and integrated landscape-level planning to safeguard the park's outstanding universal value.