Assam MP raises alarm over missing Kaziranga wildlife corridor notification

Gaurav Gogoi, Congress MP from Assam, has voiced concerns over the removal of a gazette notification concerning wildlife corridors around Kaziranga National Park from the state government's official portal. The notification, which detailed nine critical animal movement corridors essential for the park's ecosystem, is no longer accessible on Assam's website, raising questions about the administration's commitment to wildlife conservation.

The Panbari corridor, among the nine missing from the notification, has emerged as a particular flashpoint. Located in the vicinity of the national park, Panbari has recently drawn attention following reports of rare earth element deposits in the region and the subsequent sale of a tea garden in the area.

Wildlife experts have emphasised the critical role these corridors play in facilitating animal movement between protected areas and preventing habitat fragmentation. The removal of official documentation detailing these routes threatens the legal protection frameworks that govern their use and management.

The incident reflects broader concerns about the balance between resource extraction and environmental conservation in Assam, a state rich in both biodiversity and mineral wealth. Gogoi's intervention underscores the need for greater transparency in decisions affecting protected ecosystems and the corridors that sustain wildlife populations.