Supreme Court flags illegal mining in Kaziranga ESZ, Assam pushes back

The Supreme Court has flagged illegal mining concerns along the eco-sensitive zone of Kaziranga National Park, even as the Assam government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma argues the zone needs to be revised for the welfare of local residents. The court had banned all mining and related activities along the park's southern boundary in Karbi Anglong Hills on April 12, 2019, and also prohibited new construction on nine identified animal corridors.

In 2024, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council told the court that mining activities had been shut and notices issued to close stone quarries and crushing units. A 2025 PIB release said Assam closed 28 stone quarries and 18 stone crushers in the Northern Range, Dolamara, besides 10 mining permits in Rangsali. However, a 2026 Gauhati High Court report noted some legal mining projects exist outside the 10-km ESZ and wildlife corridors.

Mining in the Karbi Anglong Hills, which are ecologically connected to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, threatens habitat degradation, soil disturbance, and disruption of rivers and streams flowing into the park. The National Green Tribunal in 2025 stressed that illegal mining cannot be justified by local livelihood dependence and directed authorities to recover penalties and environmental compensation.