The Gauhati High Court has taken a firm stance to protect the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) during the upcoming Magh Bihu festivities. In a hearing on Friday, the Assam state government informed the court that it has issued orders prohibiting fishing in all water bodies within the park on Uruka day, which falls on January 13 this year.
Court Directs Strict Enforcement by District Authorities
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by environmental activist Rohit Choudhury last month. The PIL sought urgent judicial intervention to curb large-scale fishing in the park's aquatic ecosystems during the festival.
The court has directed the concerned District Commissioners to ensure the implementation of these prohibitory orders. The bench explicitly stated that the District Commissioners may seek the assistance of the Superintendents of Police of their respective districts to prevent any untoward activity in Kaziranga, especially on Uruka day.
Tradition vs. Conservation: The Legal Stand
Additional Advocate General PN Goswami, representing the state, submitted before the court that a series of necessary orders have been passed by the authorities. These orders prevent any kind of fishing on January 13 in the water bodies located within the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
Goswami clarified the state's position, noting, "Fishing on Uruka day is legally stopped by issuing prohibitory orders. However, it is a custom, which is being practised traditionally." This highlights the ongoing tension between long-standing cultural practices and the pressing need for wildlife conservation.
The park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans multiple districts in Assam, primarily Golaghat and Nagaon, with portions also extending into Sonitpur and Biswanath. This multi-district span makes coordinated enforcement crucial.
Background of the Petition and Next Steps
During the previous hearing in December, the petitioner's advocate, A Phukan, had informed the court about the scale of the problem. He stated that every year, a multitude of people enter the park during the Magh Bihu festival to carry out traditional practices. This mass entry often occurs in flagrant violation of wildlife protection laws, disrupting the park's already fragile ecosystem.
The court has scheduled the next hearing in this matter for February 27. The state government's compliance with its submitted plan and the effectiveness of the on-ground enforcement on Uruka day will likely be key points of discussion in the upcoming proceeding.
