Sonowal takes stock of flood time measures in Kaziranga Park

Guwahati, June 6: With the water level in Brahmaputra river showing a rising trend, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday issued a series of instructions to Kaziranga National Park (KNP) authority as well as the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Golaghat and Nagaon districts to ensure safety and security to the animals in the park in the event of flood this monsoon season in view of rising water level in Brahmaputra River that flows by the UNESCO World Heritage site and abode of one-horned rhinoceros.

Chairing a high level meeting at the Assam Police Guest House at Kohora Range of Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, Sonowal also reviewed the progress of building flood-time highlands within the rhino abode of Kaziranga and asked the park authority to complete erection of highlands on the war footing for the animals to take shelter during flood.

Sonowal also reviewed the anti-poaching measures that the park authority has taken so far and asked the park authority to put in place fool-proof measures for the supply of animal food and medicines which would be required during the flood season.

The chief minister advocated for a synergistic approach between the park authority, district administration and villagers living along the fringe area of the park to create a shield against poachers who might sneak in the park area taking advantage of surging water. He also took stock of the facilities provided to the forest guards and other employees of Kaziranga National Park.

In the meeting the director of the Park apprised the chief minister of the steps that the park authority had planned for the ensuing flood season for protection of the animals. Deputy commissioners and superintendents of police of Nagaon and Golaghat districts also briefed the chief minister of their plans to foil any evil design of the poachers and their cohorts especially during the flood season when the animals become vulnerable after they had to flee their habitat inside the park.