India, April 23 -- The Assam government has decided to reverse an ambitious plan for an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) encompassing Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), home to the largest population of the endangered one-horned rhino, and seven other protected areas (PAs) around it.

The Assam government on Tuesday wrote to the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change withdrawing the proposal to set up the ESZ on account of unresolved boundary issues, unsettled community rights and potential for socio-economic distress as reasons.

"In view of these serious concerns and the likely human suffering such an all-encompassing ESZ would cause, the state government has taken a considered decision to withdraw the proposal...