Guwahati, Aug 30: The world famous Kaziranga National Park (KNP) has submerged 70 percent after the water of Brahmaputra River rose over the danger level.
Like every year, this year too, the whole KNP has come under the flood water and the animals have shifted to highlands.
Field director of KNP, P Sivakumar said, “70 per cent of the park was affected due to the flood and till now four animals have died. Three animals died while crossing road and one Swamp dear was found dead in the park boundary in No. 1 Sildubi Gaon today (Monday) morning at about 6.30 am.”
He said the preliminary investigation suggested that the animal died due to hunting, which was confirmed during post mortem. “The animal was killed by using sharp spears while coming out of park during night. A case is being registered and initiated investigation,” he said.
Sivakumar further informed that “out of 223 camps, 125 camps were inundated. No rescue operation has been started. If required, our forest guards are ready. Our forest team has been monitoring every activity in the park to thwart any poaching activity.”
In Kaziranga, due to flood, many wild animals including one-horned rhinos have taken shelter at highlands constructed inside the park.
Last year, 90 per cent of Kaziranga National Park was under flood water.
Speed limit on driving through Kaziranga
The park authority and district administration have restricted speed limit of all vehicles on the National Highway 37, which passes through the national park.
Notably, a hog deer died along the National Highway 37 in Assam’s Kaziranga after being hit by a speeding vehicle late on Saturday night.
Following the death of the hog deer, the KNP authorities have urged the commuters to drive slowly while plying along the National Highway in Kaziranga.
“Drive slow, act responsibly,” the KNP authorities said.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma in an urgent appeal regarding vehicular movement through NH 715 (old NH 37) twitted, “We all take pride in Kaziranga National Park. In wake of floods causing displacement of Kaziranga animals & putting them on risk, may I appeal to truck / other vehicles to avoid NH 715 for commuting between lower & upper Assam & use NH 15 thru North Bank instead.”
