The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has slammed the Assam govt over a CAG report which has detected a number of lapses and anomalies by the state in maintenance of the Kaziranga National Park.

“Our attention is drawn to the report of CAG published by the government of Assam… according to the report the area along and around NH37 is illegally exploited for commercial purposes and there is inaction on the part of Assam.

“Certainly, whatsoever is revealed is not conducive to the environment of the area in question, with particular reference to the normal movement of wildlife across the Kaziranga National Park,” a bench headed by Justice U D Salvi said.

The tribunal was hearing a plea opposing expansion of NH-37 which passes through Jakhalabandha to Bokakhat through the Kaziranga Park.

The observations came after petitioner Rohit Choudhary placed before the bench the CAG report titled “Performance Audit of Kaziranga National Park – Issues and Challenges”.

The green panel after going through the report directed the Assam government to take positive action in respect of the recommendations made in the report and asked it to place before us the action taken report within three weeks.

The matter is fixed for next hearing on 26th May.

According to the CAG report, against the financial outlay of Rs 93.76 crore proposed in the original Annual Plan of Operations for 2010-11 to 2012-13, the Kaziranga authorities got only Rs 17.37 crore, which was about 19 percent of the funds demanded.

“From the results of physical verification, interactions with wildlife authorities/villagers and scrutiny of various correspondences, it would appear that uncontrolled and ever increasing construction/human settlements with urbanization at places, commercial activities/mining had contributed to blocking majority of stretch of NH 37 including designated animal corridors (except some patches of Haldhibari and Burapahar),” the report said.

“Non declaration of the ESZ for such a long period of time had a direct bearing on such activities detrimental to the well being of animals. The dangerous trend, if not checked immediately and permanently could lead to an irreversible impact on conservation and protection of wildlife with the potential threat that in case of a major flood, majority of the internationally acclaimed species – one horned rhinos would be wiped out forever,” the report added.

CAG, in its recommendations, said that “in view of the GoI directive of July 2013, a default area of 10 km from the park boundary may be declared as the eco-sensitive zone and action as per the points prescribed in the guidelines of GoI taken immediately.”

It also recommended investigation into construction of resorts and hotels without permission of the national park authorities change in the land use pattern of two resorts by the Circle Office, Bokakhat and encroachment of government land.

“The entire stretch of NH-37 from Burapahar to Bokakhat needs to be freed from illegal encroachments and the dhabas, parking of trucks need to be cleared immediately.

“All constructions made on either sides of the NH along with validity of the people residing in these areas need to be examined in co-ordination with the Circle Offices Bokakhat and Kaliabor with reference to the land holdings, permissions, etc and all illegal constructions/persons removed from the area within a fixed timeframe,” the CAG report said.

“There is a complete inaction by the state of Assam, so far as protection of rhinos are concerned. The CAG report should have been a wake-up call for the government to take urgent action, however, the same apathy continues and government seems to be happy with increase in rhino population without considering the warning signs of the impending doom,” said advocate Ritwick Dutta, appearing for the petitioner.

Talking to a news agency, Choudhury said, “At present, on an average one rhino per 10 days is being killed in Kaziranga and then the state tries to shift the blame. The matter should be investigated and action taken.”