Luxury Hotels Construction Spurs Legal Action over Kaziranga Park

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) initiated a case against the construction of luxury hotels near Kaziranga National Park. This action follows media reports and an agreement with Tata and Hyatt groups for hotel developments in the protected area. Local committees allege legal violations and lack of environmental assessments.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has opened a suo motu case against the construction of luxury hotels in and around Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam.

sparked by media reports, the NGT's Principal Bench in New Delhi registered the case under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

According to its website, the tribunal has not yet scheduled a date for hearings.

This development follows the Assam government's recent agreement with the Tata Group to build a five-star hotel near the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Kaziranga is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses and other wildlife, according to UNESCO.

The Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) signed an MoU with Tata Group subsidiaries to develop a luxury property costing Rs 120 crore.

Additionally, another five-star hotel near KNP is being developed by Hyatt.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced plans for a Hyatt-operated 5-star resort costing Rs 100 crore.

The Greater Kaziranga Land and Human Rights Protection Committee recently claimed that land had been illegally transferred for the projects without adherence to legal norms and environmental assessments.

(With inputs from agencies.)