SC committee pulls up Assam government for inaction over mining activity near Kaziranga

What happened now: CEC panel criticises Assam over mining-related inaction near Kaziranga

A Supreme Court–constituted committee (CEC) criticised the Assam government for how mining-related activity was handled near Kaziranga National Park, particularly around the Park upahar Range on the Park’s southern boundary. The CEC said the Assam government did not address concerns linked to ecological corridor and wildlife corridor functions around the area of concern.

RTI-linked trigger: missing comprehensive watershed drainage analysis and weak proof of completion

Environmental activist Rohit Choudhury filed a Right to Information application seeking documents and updates on compliance with earlier CEC directions to the Assam Chief Secretary. The dispute narrative describes the CEC response as stating that the comprehensive watershed drainage analysis report was not received. The CEC response also described quarterly status reports as having been attached, but the response does not show completion of the watershed exercise ordered under the CEC monitoring timeline. The dispute narrative further states that October 2025 was set as a deadline for completing the watershed exercise.

Background legal position: Supreme Court order dated April 12, 2019

The Supreme Court order dated April 12, 2019 forms the baseline for mining-related restrictions around Kaziranga. The Supreme Court order dated April 12, 2019 restrained all mining and related activities along Kaziranga’s southern boundary.mining and related activities across catchments feeding rivers and streams originating in the Karbi Anglong hills.new construction on private lands that form part of nine identified animal corridors.