Flood situation grim in Kaziranga National Park

Many animals including rhinos, tigers have come out from the national park due to the flood and entered the nearby villages. Some are still roaming for a safer place…

Shambhu Boro, Tezpur, July 19:

            The UNESCO recommended world heritage site, ‘Kaziranga National Park’ that hosts two-thirds of the world’s great one-horned rhinoceros, boasting also the highest density of tigers among the protected areas in the world and being declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006 is till today under water due to the third wave of flood fury created by the mighty river Brahmaputra and it’s tributaries like Dhansiri, Dipholu, Dewpani and Deosur affecting a number of wild animals.

While talking with this reporter Kaziranga National Park Director P. Siv Kumar mentioned that a total of 96 animals including seven rhinos have drowned in the flood-hit National Park located in Golaghat, Karbianglong and Nagaon District of Assam. “Seven rhinos died after drowning in the floodwater. One more rhino has died during the flood situation in the national park.”Siv Kumar said.

Presenting the tragic situation witnessed in the National Park during the last couple of weeks Siv Kumar also stated that apart from eight rhinos, seven wild boars, three wild buffaloes, two swamp deer, 74 hog deer, two porcupines have also died due to flood at the national park.

It is worthmentioning, though the flood situation in the Kaziranga National Park has slightly improved, but 90 per cent area of the park is still underwater. He also informed that 59 anti-poaching camps out of 223 camps of the park are currently underwater.

On the other hand, many animals including rhinos, tigers have come out from the national park due to the flood and entered the nearby villages.

Many have moved towards the Karbi hills by crossing the national highway. The fateful animals rendering shelter-less are seen roaming in the street searching for safer place.

However, the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) under the Kaziranga National Park have till now rescued over 132 wild animals including two rhino calves, four tigers, and 103 hog deer during the flood situation which are after requisite treatment released in different places that are identified during the flood situation as safer  zone.

Moreover, a matured rhino that became fatigue after drowning a vast stretch of floodwater was seen taking rest just sleeping in the National Highway. Not only this, due to the crossing of National Highway by wild elephant’s herd, vehicles are seen stranded on the way.

“However, we are hopeful that we will overcome the situation as the recent state chief minister Sarbananda Sonwal’s visit has given a moral boosting to our guards and officials who are dedicatedly combating the situation for the greater interest of the safety of the national park and it’s resources.” Siv Kumar maintained.