Recurring floods take heavy tolls in Kaziranga

Over 450 animals including over 30 rhinos died during the devastating flood in 2017. The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has expressed serious concerns over national highway 37 that passes through the world-famous Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam and has become a cause of wildlife deaths.

New Delhi: Floods in Assam have become a bane of Kaziranga National Park as the annual inundation of the region takes a heavy toll on its wildlife wealth year after year. More than 450 animals including 30 rhinos were killed in the renowned UNESCO world heritage park during 2017 floods.

According to the reports over 450 animals including over 30 rhinos died during the devastating flood in 2017.

"Animals die mainly when they cross the National Highway 37," said Abhisekh Narayanan, Rescue and Rehabilitation Division head of WTI.

It's significant that Kaziranga animals generally take shelter in the adjoining highlands when the flood occurs. "The adjacent highland of the KNP is Karbi Anglong. But there was a large human expansion in the area which forced the animals to look for new highlands," said Narayanan.

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal recently visited the park and took stock of the situation. Significantly, 33 new highlands have been constructed in Kaziranga National Park.

"Due to lack of sufficient numbers of highlands, many wild animals including rhinos were drowned. Our team at the KNP is monitoring the situation regularly to prevent the wildlife deaths in future," said Narayanan.

The KNP is closed for the tourists from May 16 for Monsoon and possible floods. The National Park will again reopen in the month of November.