Kaziranga National Park preparing to face seasonal floods

CrPC 144 imposed; Drivers speeding beyond 40 kmph to attract penalty

A CORRESPONDENT

NUMALIGARH: Kaziranga is a flood plain that has evolved amidst a continuous cycle of floods, erosion and the changed course of a river over thousands of years. The national park is also facing severe space constrains due to the unabated erosions by the Brahmaputra river, which has led to less space and fodder for the animals of the park. Kaziranga has already lost over 150 sq km to these natural factors.

At present, the water level of Brahmaputra
 

is reported to be unstable. As per the data provided by bulletin no 27 published on May 27 by the Central Water Commission, the water level of the river at Neematighat was measured at 86.13 meters, which is above the warning level of 84.04 meters and also above the danger level of 85.04 meters. On the other hand, the water level at Dhanisirimukh has been reported to have also touched the danger level. If the water level continues to rise, flood water might enter the national park within the next two days.

Meanwhile, the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) authority is preparing itself to face the floods this year.

Eastern Assam wildlife division DFO Ramesh Kr Gogoi stated, "We are preparing for the imminent floods this year. During such times, we need several small wooden boats that can be maneuvered manually during the floods. As of now, while we are repairing more than 150 such boats, 35 new ones will be ready within the next two days.

"We have also recorded that almost all the highlands have adequate grass and other fodder as vegetation for the animals."

Altogether 111 artificial highlands were in Kaziranga till 2018. Authorities created many highlands in the past for the park animals to take refuge during the annual floods; and in one such move, 33 man-made highlands were erected in 2018-19. These highlands are comparatively bigger than the previous ones. Each of these highlands is 100x50 meters in length and 5 meters in height.

DFO Gogoi added, "We will also set up sensor cameras at the various animal corridors on National Highway-37 to effectively execute the time-card system."

Though the park is not yet flooded, the speed restriction is a necessary precautionary measure to minimize the number of animal causalities due to the vehicles speeding on NH-37, as the wild beings cross the highway.

In view of the ongoing monsoon season and the flood alerts, the Bokakhat sub-divisional administration has imposed Section 144 CrPC in and around KNP from Tuesday to save the wild animals from getting knocked down by speedy vehicles on the highway.

Any driver plying his vehicle at over 40 km/h on the portion of NH-37 — starting from the Panbari animal corridor to district-sub-divisional western boundary near Bagori — will have to pay an environment compensation of Rs 5,000. He/she will also be prosecuted under Section 188 of IPC. The order further warned against causing any harm or injury to wild animals, birds and reptiles taking shelter on NH-37. Movement in and around the national park with a lethal weapon is also prohibited. Parking of heavy vehicles, in front of dhabas and restaurant along the NH-37, is also prohibited as it might obstruct the safe passage of wild animals during their migration to higher lands in Karbi Anglong on the southern fringe of the park.

During 2019, while more than 220 wild animals died during the floods in the park; altogether 17 others lost their lives after being hit by vehicles while they were crossing the NH-37 to reach the Karbi hills. 

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