Guwahati, July 16: The ongoing floods in Assam have wreaked havoc for both people and animals. 212 wild animals, including 10 rhinos, have been killed in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) since May.

According to a bulletin issued on Monday evening, 212 animals have died this flood season. The fatalities include 10 rhinos, 167 hog deer and others.Two hog deer were killed after being hit by vehicles while attempting to cross the national highway adjacent to KNPTR in search of higher ground.

In response, local authorities have imposed restrictions on vehicle movement along the highway near the park, implementing measures such as speed limits and escorted passages.

KNPTR spans 1,300 square kilometers and houses over 2,600 one-horned rhinos, making it the largest habitat for this endangered species.

“It is one of the worst situations in KNP. Similar incidents have occurred before, but this time the impact is severe. Most animals have sought refuge on highlands to escape the floods,” said an official.

Though the flood waters have receded however, the wild animals continue to migrate and cross between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong.

This year animals have also been observed to migrate in the 3 km stretch of Kherbari, Bihopukhri, Lahorijaan stretch under NH 15 in Biswanath District as it runs close to the 6th addition of KNP.

Heavy traffic is observed during the peak time during the day. For e.g on 14.07.2024, 1373 trucks and 988 smaller vehicles were escorted between 8 AM to 4.30 PM from Bagori to Panbari . Similarly 1087 trucks and 1592 smaller vehicles were escorted from Panbari to Bagori between 8 am to 4.30 pm on 14.07.2024. On an average 3300 vehicles have been reported by sensors placed between Amguri and Panbari in the last 10 days.

Further , the state govt installed the animal sensor system(a first in the country) in 2017 that deploys an integrated surveillance of animals crossing the National Highway NH37 along-with traffic control system which includes establishment of Control Centres. At present sensors are fully functional at Panbari, Pub Haldibari, Haldibari, Hathi Camp and Amuguri. 24X7 monitoring through control room combined with relay of messages to ground action teams have also supported the speed regulation and safe movement of wild animals.

Animals, especially hog deer are also observed to cross through non-corridors areas and hence additional 100 cadets of the 3rd Assam Forest Batallion have been deputed to form a human chain in strategic locations.

Additional Drone surveys including the deployment of IR Drone has been also used for the first time to understand the movement of wild animals .

Barricades along with signages and manpower has been placed at strategic location with a general appeal to drive safely and carefully during the flood season.

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