Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly stated his administration's intention to request a significant reduction in the buffer zone surrounding Kaziranga National Park. The current protected area, which extends 10 kilometers from the park's boundary, would be narrowed to 1 kilometer under the proposed plan. The Chief Minister indicated that the state government is currently preparing the necessary documentation and expects to submit the formal proposal to the Union government for review and notification within the next 60 days.

While the announcement outlines the state's administrative intent, it does not detail the specific environmental or developmental justifications for the change. Buffer zones are typically established to protect national parks from industrial encroachment, human-wildlife conflict, and pollution. Reducing this zone would likely allow for increased infrastructure or commercial activity in areas that are currently restricted. The proposal will require approval from the central government, which oversees national park regulations in India. As of now, there has been no official response from federal environmental authorities regarding the feasibility or potential ecological impact of such a reduction.