Blog Details

•  Author : Adeeb Sahil
• Date : August 08, 2025

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga booking

A new tunnel project is being planned near Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India. This project has received official approval and is getting attention from environmental experts, forest officers, and government planners. The reason is that it can help protect animals and the environment, even while building new roads and transport systems.

This tunnel will not be like other road projects. It will go under the Brahmaputra River. This is important because it means fewer cars and trucks will pass through animal habitats on the surface. Currently, roadways on the surface disrupt animals' movement and damage the environment. Many people are happy because this plan tries to balance progress and nature care at the same time.

This is also good for tourists who are interested in making Kaziranga booking for safari, as the area will become easier to reach while staying safe for wildlife.

Where Will The Tunnel Be Built?

The tunnel will be built under the Brahmaputra River. This is one of the biggest and most powerful rivers in India. The tunnel will connect two places—Gohpur (on the north side of the river) and Numaligarh (on the south side).

This area is close to Kaziranga National Park, which is a very important wildlife area. It is protected by the United Nations and is called a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many rare animals live there, including the one-horned rhinoceros, which is an endangered species. Many other animals and birds also live there.

The reason for building the tunnel under the river is to avoid building roads on top of the land where animals live and move around. This can help protect the homes of wild animals and keep them safe from people, cars, and pollution.

Who Gave Permission For This Project?

The tunnel project was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). This is the highest government group in India that makes decisions about protecting wildlife.

The tunnel will be built by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). It is a company controlled by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under Indian central government. This company will be responsible for building the tunnel and making sure all environmental rules are followed.

Because NBWL is involved, it means that the government is paying attention to animal protection and nature while also working on development and roads.

Why Is The Tunnel Important?

The tunnel is important not only because it will help people travel more easily. It is also important because it can help protect animals and nature.

Right now, many roads pass through the area near Kaziranga National Park. These roads are often dangerous for animals. Animals trying to move from one place to another can be hit by fast-moving cars. Also, the sound and pollution from vehicles disturb the animals. This problem is called human-wildlife conflict.

With the new tunnel under the river, there will be less traffic on surface roads. This means animals will have more peace and space to move safely. It will also decrease noise and pollution.

An environmentalist named Apurba Ballav Goswami is in favor of the tunnel. He has worked for many years to protect Kaziranga. He says that the tunnel can help reduce accidents between animals and vehicles and make the area safer for wildlife.

If this project is done properly, it could be an example of how to build infrastructure in a way that also takes care of nature.

How Much Land Will Be Needed?

To build the tunnel, the project will need to use some land. The land is of two different types:

• 13.77 hectares of forest land inside the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Golaghat district.
• 61.5 hectares of non-forest land in the eco-sensitive zone of the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve in Sonitpur district.

Because so much land is being used, it is very important to make sure the land is used carefully. The government and project builders will need to create good plans to protect nature. They will also need to restore any damaged land and plant trees where needed.

What Rules Must Be Followed To Protect Nature?

To keep the environment safe, the NBWL has given many important conditions that must be followed before and during the construction:

• Scientific studies must be done to check if the ground is strong enough. They must also study how water moves underground, how soil can shift, and whether earthquakes might affect the tunnel area.
• There should be no harm to animal homes or the paths that animals use to move from one place to another.
• Cutting down trees must be kept to a minimum, and new trees must be planted to replace them.
• No waste or dirty materials should be allowed to enter the Brahmaputra River.
• Builders must use machines that make less noise and dust.
• The use of explosives or very heavy machines must be controlled so that animals do not get scared or harmed by loud sounds or shaking of the ground.

These rules are made to make sure that the environment and animals are not harmed by the project.

Money And Plan For Animal Safety

The NHIDCL must also give money for protecting animals. This money will be given to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Assam, who is the top forest officer in the state. The money will be used for:

• Wildlife protection programs
• Managing animal habitats
• Restoring land and forests damaged by construction

The builders also need to make a scientific plan to reduce conflict between people and animals. This includes:

• Creating buffer zones (areas that separate human activity and animal areas)
• Having trained teams ready to respond if animals enter towns or villages
• Using technology to track and watch animals so that they remain safe

These steps will also make the area safer for tourists who make Kaziranga booking and visit the park to see animals in a safe way.

Final Inspection Before Construction Begins

Before building work can start, a special team will go to the area to check everything. This team will include:

• Member and expert Dr. R. Sukumar in NBWL
• Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
• Officers from the Assam State Forest Department

This team checks if the project follows environmental rules. They look at the land for risks to nature or animals. If needed, they can ask for changes to protect the environment. The final approval for building will only be given after this team finishes its check and agrees that everything is safe and ready.