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News 3 of 19

SC-Constituted CEC Pulls Up Assam Govt on Mining Near Kaziranga; Default 10 km ESZ at Risk

EnvironmentPolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
23 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:Default ESZ: 10 kmSC Order Date: April 12, 2019Animal Corridors Identified: 9CEC Report to Chief Secretary: May 30, 2025RTI Filed: June 15, 2025Watershed Report Deadline: October 2025
Bodies:Supreme Court of IndiaCentral Empowered Committee (CEC)Assam GovernmentKarbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC)
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What This Article Covers

1.CEC pulled up Assam Government for inaction on mining along Kaziranga's southern boundary, violating SC order of April 12, 2019.

2.RTI by activist Rohit Choudhury revealed that Assam failed to submit the mandated Watershed Drainage Analysis Report and did not notify nine identified animal corridors.

3.Examiner angle: Conflict between state development (mining, KAAC autonomy) and environmental protection – linked to Eco-Sensitive Zones, wildlife corridors, and SC monitoring through CEC.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has pulled up the Assam Government for failing to address illegal mining near Kaziranga National Park, despite Supreme Court orders from 2019. This comes amid a controversy over a proposed reduction of the Eco-Sensitive Zone from the default 10 km. The case tests judicial enforcement of wildlife conservation against state inaction and autonomous council indifference.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Default ESZ Distance10 km
SC Order DateApril 12, 2019
Animal Corridors Identified9
CEC Report to Chief SecretaryMay 30, 2025
RTI Filed byRohit Choudhury (June 15, 2025)
Deadline for Watershed ReportOctober 2025

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Default ESZ Distance: 10 km
  • ›SC Order Date: April 12, 2019
  • ›Target this Data: Default ESZ = 10 km; SC order of April 12, 2019; 9 animal corridors; Watershed report deadline Oct 2025.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Central Empowered Committee (CEC) – constituted by the Supreme Court, not a statutory body.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Supreme Court's inherent power under Article 32/142 to constitute committees and enforce environmental protection orders.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which body pulled up the Assam Government for inaction on mining near Kaziranga National Park?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is a statutory body established under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

2. The Supreme Court order of April 12, 2019, prohibited mining along the southern boundary of Kaziranga National Park.

3. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council administers the district that forms the southern boundary of Kaziranga.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the default distance of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around Kaziranga National Park mentioned in the article?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary ecological concern highlighted by the CEC regarding mining near Kaziranga?

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