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APSC Answer Writing (Daily) based on Assam Tribune – 13/09/2025

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, practicing Daily Answer Writing is vital. This blog covers the most important Main question and its model Answer from the Assam Tribune today (13-09-2025).

📝 Model Answer

Q. “Eco-sensitive zone regulations around Kaziranga National Park are crucial for rhino conservation but have also triggered livelihood concerns. Critically examine the significance and challenges of ESZs in balancing conservation and community needs in Assam.”
(GS Paper III – Environment & Biodiversity | GS Paper V – Assam Ecology)

🔹 Introduction

Kaziranga National Park (KNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, shelters over 2,400 one-horned rhinoceroses, making it a global conservation hotspot. To protect this fragile ecosystem, the Centre notified an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, restricting mining, industries, and unregulated construction around the park. However, the 13 Sept 2025 review of ESZ norms highlighted the friction between conservation imperatives and livelihood rights of surrounding communities.

🔹 Significance of ESZ in Kaziranga

Biodiversity Protection – Safeguards rhinos, elephants, swamp deer, and tigers.
Buffer Against Encroachment – Prevents resorts, stone quarries, and industrial activity near park borders.
Habitat Connectivity – Maintains corridors with Karbi Anglong hills, vital for seasonal animal migration.
Flood Resilience – ESZ highlands serve as animal shelters during Brahmaputra floods.
Tourism Regulation – Promotes eco-tourism over mass, unsustainable tourism.
Global Commitment – Aligns with India’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019).

🔹 Challenges

Community Resistance – Villagers and farmers fear displacement and livelihood loss due to ESZ restrictions.
Encroachment & Illegal Activities – Settlements, grazing, and quarrying continue despite notification.
Infrastructure Conflict – NH-37, railways, and pipelines fragment habitats.
Over-Tourism – Resorts and safari traffic disturb animal movement.
Climate Change – Annual floods submerge 70–80% of the park, forcing rhinos to move into human-dominated ESZ areas.
Enforcement Gap – Weak monitoring and lack of compensation delay ESZ effectiveness.

🔹 Government Measures

Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Corridors: Identified as priority conservation zones by SC (2019).
National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019): Focus on anti-poaching and habitat expansion.
Artificial Highlands: Built inside Kaziranga for flood-season shelters.
Project Tiger & Project Elephant: Support corridor protection.
Assam Rhino Vision 2020: Translocated rhinos to Manas and Orang.

🔹 Way Forward

Participatory Conservation – Involve local communities in eco-tourism, benefit-sharing, and forest co-management.
Sustainable Livelihoods – Promote handicrafts, handloom, and eco-farming linked with Kaziranga branding.
Regulated Tourism – Cap on resorts; promote homestays run by locals.
Green Infrastructure – Wildlife-friendly crossings on NH-37 and railway lines.
Disaster Adaptation – Expand highlands and flood shelters for wildlife.
Transparent Compensation – Fair and timely packages for farmers affected by ESZ restrictions.

🔹 Conclusion

The Eco-Sensitive Zone around Kaziranga is a vital instrument for safeguarding Assam’s iconic rhinos and its broader ecosystem. Yet, its success depends on balancing conservation with human security. A community-inclusive, climate-adaptive, and strictly regulated ESZ framework can ensure Kaziranga remains not only a symbol of Assam’s heritage but also a global model of coexistence between people and wildlife.

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