Article 3: Wildlife Corridors and Conservation Challenges
Why in News: A complaint has been submitted to the Supreme Court-mandated Central Empowered Committee regarding alleged illegal construction activities in wildlife corridors connecting Kaziranga National Park with the Karbi Anglong Hills in Assam.
Key Details
- Environmental activists have alleged construction activities in the Haldhibari and Panbari wildlife corridors despite restrictions imposed by the Supreme Court in 2019. These corridors are ecologically sensitive areas that facilitate seasonal movement of wildlife during floods and habitat stress.
- The complaint has been filed before the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which assists the Supreme Court in forest and environmental matters. The CEC plays an important role in monitoring compliance with judicial orders related to conservation and forest governance.
- The Supreme Court had prohibited new construction activities in nine identified wildlife corridors associated with Kaziranga National Park. This order aimed to preserve ecological connectivity and reduce habitat fragmentation caused by infrastructure expansion.
- Kaziranga’s wildlife corridors are critical for species such as elephants, rhinos, tigers, swamp deer, and wild buffaloes. During monsoon floods, these animals move towards higher elevations in the Karbi Anglong Hills through these corridors.
Kaziranga National Park
- Location: Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam along the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River. It is one of India’s most important biodiversity hotspots and globally recognised conservation landscapes.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Kaziranga was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The recognition was granted due to its exceptional biodiversity and conservation significance.
- Flagship Species: The park is famous for hosting the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros. It also supports significant populations of elephants, Royal Bengal tigers, wild buffaloes, and swamp deer.
- Tiger Reserve and Biodiversity Hotspot: Kaziranga is also a notified Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger. The park represents a unique ecosystem of grasslands, wetlands, and forests supporting diverse flora and fauna.
Wildlife Corridors and Ecological Connectivity
- Meaning of Wildlife Corridors: Wildlife corridors are natural pathways that allow animals to move between fragmented habitats. They help maintain genetic diversity, ecological balance, and species survival.
- Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong Connectivity: The Karbi Anglong Hills serve as elevated refuge areas during floods in Kaziranga. Animals migrate through these corridors seasonally to escape inundation in the Brahmaputra floodplains.
- Impact of Fragmentation: Highways, railways, mining, and construction activities disrupt animal movement. This increases human-animal conflict and raises mortality risks due to road accidents and habitat loss.
- Conservation Importance: Maintaining ecological connectivity is essential for long-term wildlife conservation. It becomes especially important under climate change conditions and increasing anthropogenic pressures.
Supreme Court Intervention and Legal Protection
- 2019 Supreme Court Order: The Supreme Court prohibited mining and new construction activities in identified wildlife corridors around Kaziranga. The judgment was aimed at protecting critical wildlife habitats from unregulated development.
- Nine Identified Corridors: The protected corridors include Amguri, Panbari, Haldhibari, Bagori, Harmati, Kanchanjuri, Hatidandi, Deosur, and Chirang. These areas were officially delineated by the Assam government in 2022.
- Role of the CEC: The Central Empowered Committee assists the Supreme Court in environmental governance matters. It was constituted in connection with the landmark T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India case.
- Constitutional Basis: Wildlife and forest protection derive support from Article 48A and Article 51A(g) of the Constitution. These provisions place responsibility on both the State and citizens to protect the environment.
Human-Wildlife Conflict and Infrastructure Pressure
- Role of NH-37: National Highway-37 passes through important wildlife movement zones near Kaziranga. This highway has contributed significantly to habitat fragmentation and wildlife road mortality.
- Urbanisation and Encroachment: Increasing developmental activities near protected areas create ecological stress. Illegal constructions weaken conservation efforts and reduce safe passage for wildlife.
- Flood Vulnerability: Kaziranga experiences annual flooding due to the Brahmaputra River system. While floods maintain ecological productivity, excessive infrastructure limits natural adaptation mechanisms for wildlife.
- Tourism and Commercial Expansion: Rapid commercialisation near eco-sensitive zones increases anthropogenic pressure. Without proper regulation, it can undermine conservation gains achieved over decades.
Conservation Measures in India
- Project Tiger: Launched in 1973, it aims to conserve tiger populations and their habitats. Kaziranga’s inclusion under Project Tiger strengthens habitat protection and monitoring mechanisms.
- Project Elephant: Focuses on elephant conservation, habitat connectivity, and mitigation of human-elephant conflict. Wildlife corridors are central to the success of elephant conservation strategies.
- Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Areas around national parks are regulated to minimise harmful developmental activities. These zones act as “shock absorbers” for protected ecosystems.
- National Wildlife Action Plan (2017–2031): Emphasises landscape-level conservation and protection of wildlife corridors. It recognises connectivity conservation as essential for biodiversity resilience.
Climate Change and Biodiversity Concerns
- Increased Flooding Risks: Climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall and flooding events in Assam. This increases dependence of wildlife on safe migratory corridors and refuge habitats.
- Habitat Stress: Changing climate conditions alter vegetation, water availability, and ecosystem stability. Species with fragmented habitats become more vulnerable to extinction risks.
- Need for Landscape-Based Conservation: Conservation strategies must move beyond isolated protected areas. Integrated landscape management ensures long-term ecological sustainability.
- Global Biodiversity Commitments: India is committed to biodiversity conservation under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Protecting corridors contributes towards achieving global conservation targets.
Way Forward
- Strict Enforcement of Court Orders: Illegal constructions in eco-sensitive corridors must be immediately investigated and regulated. Strong enforcement mechanisms are necessary to maintain ecological integrity.
- Scientific Land-Use Planning: Infrastructure development should incorporate wildlife movement assessments. Eco-bridges, underpasses, and regulated zoning can reduce ecological fragmentation.
- Community Participation: Local communities should be integrated into conservation and eco-tourism initiatives. Participatory conservation improves sustainability and reduces conflict.
- Strengthening Ecological Governance: Coordination between judiciary, forest departments, and local administration is essential. A long-term landscape conservation approach should guide policy decisions.
Conclusion
The Kaziranga wildlife corridor issue highlights the growing tension between infrastructure development and ecological conservation in India. Protecting wildlife corridors is essential not only for biodiversity conservation but also for maintaining ecological resilience in the face of climate change and increasing human pressures.
EXPECTED QUESTIONS FOR UPSC CSE
Prelims MCQ
Q. With reference to wildlife corridors in India, consider the following statements:
- Wildlife corridors help maintain ecological connectivity between fragmented habitats.
- The Supreme Court has prohibited new construction activities in identified Kaziranga wildlife corridors.
- National parks in India are governed exclusively under state laws without constitutional backing.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Descriptive Question
Q. “Wildlife corridors are essential for biodiversity conservation in fragmented landscapes.” Discuss in the context of Kaziranga National Park and increasing infrastructure pressures in India. (150 words, 10 marks)