From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: The International Fund for Animal Welfare – Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI) has provided 35 boats to the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) authorities for assistance in anti- poaching patrolling in the flood-prone UNESCO World Heritage that houses more than 70 per cent of the world’s greater one horned rhinoceros.
The boats are largely aimed at providing assistance to the local field staff in their patrolling (anti poaching) activities during the flood in Kaziranga National Park.
Every Monsoon, flood water from the Brahmaputra River enters the Park causing inconvenience to anti-poaching activities while many flood-hit animals wander out in search of higher grounds. These boats will help authorities in rescue and rehabilitation of flood-hit animals in addition to strengthening the anti-poaching mechanism.
“The vast area around the camps inside the forest gets flooded every year. With the help of these boats, we can keep vigil in those areas vulnerable for rhino poaching. Moreover, it will be very easy to patrol in the park during flood season and we can monitor any marooned animal,” said Ranjit Saikia, a senior forest guard of Eastern range of the national park.
“We are happy to have this logistic support from IFAW-WTI to face the critical flood situation in Kaziranga National Park. Indeed, the boats will be of great help to execute quick response during animal rescue in the park. We appreciate IFAW-WTI initiatives for this noble gesture” said N.K. Vasu, Chief Conservator of Forest and the Director of the Kaziranga National Park.
“IFAW-WTI partnership is committed to the welfare and conservation of wildlife of Kaziranga National Park and we are trying our best to support the park. With our long experience in the conservation efforts of Park management we felt these boats would be of great help to the frontline forest staff, who stay in remote areas inside the park during these tough flood months,” said Dr Rathin Barman, Deputy Director, WTI.