Kaziranga National Park Battles Rising Floodwaters Threatening Wildlife

Rising floodwaters in Assam have submerged over 43% of forest camps at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, prompting animals to seek higher ground. Joint patrolling efforts and rescue measures are being intensified to ensure the safety of wildlife. Prohibitory orders have been issued to safeguard animal crossings.

With worsening flood conditions in Assam, rising water levels have impacted more than 43 percent of the 233 forest camps at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, according to an official report released on Monday.

As a significant portion of the wildlife habitat is now submerged, scores of animals have started crossing National Highway 715 in search of higher ground towards the southern direction in East Karbi Anglong district.

However, no deaths of animals have been reported so far due to the floods or accidents while crossing the highway. Floodwaters have submerged a total of 101 forest camps, with six vacated, across the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, states the flood report. It detailed the affected areas as 35 camps in the Agoratoli range, 21 in Kaziranga, 10 in Bagori, five in Burhapahar range, and nine in Bokakhat. Additionally, 21 forest camps in the Biswanath Wildlife Division of the national park have been inundated.

Kaziranga National Park is well-prepared for the upcoming flood season with comprehensive measures in place to ensure the safety of wildlife, staff, and visitors. Continuous monitoring and timely interventions are priorities to mitigate the impact of flooding, according to the report.

Herds of elephants have begun moving towards East Karbi Anglong through the Hati Dandi corridor, and animal sensors are in place to detect their movement. Joint patrolling by commando action groups and forest teams is being conducted regularly, with additional staff from neighboring divisions deployed to intensify patrolling. Joint patrols in the park's fringe areas are being carried out by Forest and Police Departments.

The Kaziranga National Park authority has set up a dedicated floodwater gauge station with support from the Central Water Commission, while rescue teams and veterinary care units are on standby for immediate deployment. Boats, boatlines, barricades, raincoats, rescue materials, and medicines have been procured and deployed. Country boats, speedboats, and mechanized boats have been strategically positioned for swift response, the bulletin stated.

Meanwhile, the Golaghat district administration issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC on Sunday evening to safeguard animals crossing NH-715, which passes through the KNP. Golaghat District Magistrate Vivek Shyam Pangyok mentioned that the highway attracts significant traffic, posing unwarranted risks and imminent threats to wild animals during active floods. Animals use these corridors to temporarily migrate to natural highlands in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.

Accordingly, orders for traffic management along NH-715 through KNP took effect from Monday, specifying that no commercial vehicles are allowed to move through the park, and only private vehicles may travel at regulated speeds during the daytime. Only local private vehicles will be permitted to cross KNP during night hours. The order also outlined traffic diversion points for both commercial and private vehicles.

The flood situation across the state continues to deteriorate with incessant rains inundating many districts and affecting lakhs of people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday enquired about the flood situation in Assam and assured all support to handle the crisis, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)