Guwahati, July 22: Altogether 511 wild animals were killed by floods in the state in the last five years, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha on Monday.

Replying to an unstarred question from Congress MP from Assam Pradyut Bordoloi on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Singh said 847 wild animals were affected by floods in the state during the last five years and 336 animals were rescued.

Bordoloi in his question sought information from the government regarding the impact of floods on Assam’s wildlife population, including data on casualties, conservation measures and collaborations with various organizations.

The Union minister also informed the House that no assessments or studies have been conducted by the state government on the impact of floods on the state’s biodiversity.

A total of 215 wild animals, including 13 rhinos were killed in Kaziranga National park and Tiger Reserve in this year’s flood. 157 animals were rescued and 136 were released after treatment. 14 animlas died under care.

Elaborating on a slew of measures undertaken by state authorities to protect and conserve wildlife during the flood season, the Union minister said active support from local communities, such as VDPs, Eco Development Committees, and NGOs, has been taken in rescue works. These organisations help in the management and protection of wildlife during flood seasons, he said.

He also said additional forest staff from nearby divisions are deployed to patrol and perform flood-related duties in Kaziranga National Park, who also monitor vehicle speeds on Asian Highways 1 (NH-37) to prevent animal deaths due to vehicle collisions. Additional security forces from the police department are deployed in the districts of Golaghat, Nagaon, and Karbi Anglong to assist forest personnel with anti-poaching duties and help mitigate human-wildlife conflict during floods.

DTOs and MVIs from Nagaon and Golaghat districts control vehicle speeds on Asian Highways 1 from Bokakhat to Jakhalanbanda which passes along the edge of Kaziranga National Park. Volunteers from NGOs and VDPs monitor animal movement and help reduce vehicle speed on Asian Highways 1.

33 new highlands and road-cum-highlands have been created to provide elevated resting spaces for wild animals during floods. Vulnerable areas are barricaded during the floods, he added.

Read: Cong candidate in Assam moves Gauhati HC, seeks Kripanath Mallah’s election in abeyance

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