Blueprint a must to save Kaziranga National Park animals during floods

GUWAHATI: Though the annual floods are necessary to sustain the bio-diversity in the KNP (Kaziranga National Park), among the main sufferers are the diverse species of wild animals that are exotic to it. This has been the case almost during the floods every year that follow the seasonal rains. Against this backdrop, it is of utmost importance that the authorities concerned must chalk out an immediate plan to ensure that these park animals do not die.

For instance, 64 rhinos besides 768 other animals died due to floods within four years — from 2017 to 2020, reveal data of the Forest department.

In 2017, of the 407 animals that died because of the annual floods in KNP, the animal-toll breakup showed rhinos (24); eight swamp deer; 342 deer (hog, barking, and sambar); 22 other animals; five each of wild buffaloes and elephants; and one tiger.

However, the statistics indicate that no animals died due to the low intensity of the floods during 2018. Of the 266 animals that died due to the same natural phenomenon in 2018, there were 187 deer (hog, barking, and sambar); 45 other animals; 21 rhinos; eight swamp deer; four wild buffaloes; and one elephant. Altogether 159 animals died in the National Park in this year's floods. The toll includes 112 deer (hog, barking, and sambar); 19 rhinos; 17 other animals; six wild buffaloes; four swamp deer; and one elephant.

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