Illegal Mining Near Assam's Kaziranga National Park Have Continued, Intensified Despite SC Ban: CEC Report

Illegal mining near Assam’s Kaziranga National Park's eco sensitive zones has continued and even intensified in violation of a 2019 Supreme Court order, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has told the apex court, Deccan Herald reported.

The CEC’s latest report, submitted to SC on 30 May, states that “rampant mining continues, particularly in the Parkup Pahar Range,” which forms the southern boundary of Kaziranga and is a declared wildlife sanctuary.

Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts nearly 65 per cent of the world’s one-horned rhino population and serves as a crucial wildlife corridor between the Brahmaputra floodplains and the Karbi Anglong hills.

The report follows a December 2024 complaint by an anonymous government employee.

The complaint received from the government employee in December 2024 contained Google Earth imagery from 2019 to 2023 and site-specific data.

The images reportedly showed that mining, which had stopped following the SC’s 2019 ban order, resumed and intensified after 2021.

The complaint was forwarded to the Assam forest and police departments, requesting a factual report.

A detailed report was submitted by the principal chief conservator of forests, Assam, on 5 February, outlining the actions taken, including the suspension of mining leases.

The report confirmed that stone mining was occurring close to the Borjuri Waterfall and its surrounding streams, which flow towards Kaziranga.

CEC noted that despite the court’s prohibition, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) issued fresh mining permissions in forested areas and proposed eco-sensitive zones without the approval from the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife and the Central government under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

The committee said KAAC had “no authority” to grant such permissions.

Stone mining was also reported near Borjuri Waterfall and streams that flow into Kaziranga. A 5 February report from the Assam forest department confirmed mining activity and stated some leases had been suspended.

The CEC has recommended an immediate halt to all mining and related activities in the Parkup Pahar area, and has asked KAAC to submit a detailed watershed drainage analysis report.

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