Speed limit on road cutting through Kaziranga as animals escape floods

The Kaziranga National Park authorities have implemented a time card system to limit the speed of vehicles on the National Highway cutting through the forests, as many animals are crossing over to escape the floods. A fine of Rs 5,000 will be imposed on violators.

Guwahati (Assam):As over 60 per cent of the Kaziranga National Park in Assam is currently reeling under the fresh wave of floods, authorities have been forced to implement a time card system to limit the speed of vehicles plying on the highway cutting through the forest.

The implementation of the speed limit is necessary as animals try to cross over to the other side of the park during floods in search of higher ground. In doing so, many animals are often hit by speeding vehicles.

Hence, authorities have implemented the time card system on vehicles plying on National Highway 37 that bifurcates the park. The park authorities have also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 for violation of the speed limit.

The development comes even as a rhino carcass was recovered in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary on Monday. The forest department is now taking possible measures to prevent any further loss of animal lives due to the floods.

Read:After heavy rains, Brahmaputra flows above danger level in Guwahati

The Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to the world's largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.

The flood report issued by the Assam Disaster Management Authority said that Brahmaputra River has been flowing above the danger level at different places including in Jorhat, Tezpur, Guwahati, Goalpara and Dhubri districts.

Nearly 25 districts of Assam have been affected by the floods due to heavy rain, bringing huge damage to the people. The flood claimed 24 lives till Monday evening and over 13 lakh people have been affected.

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