Shillong, July 19: During the rainy season, the annual floods in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) create havoc for its wildlife. A significant part of the park gets submerged under floodwaters, forcing animals into limited spaces for shelter.
In recent years, numerous animal deaths have occurred due to the flooding, prompting concerns about their safety and preservation.
As floodwaters rise, animals cross the national highway in search of safety, heading towards the Karbi Anglong Hills.
To ensure safe animal passage, nine designated animal corridors have been established, but speeding vehicles on the highway still pose a significant threat to the animals.
The state government plans to construct elevated corridors along the national highway to facilitate unimpeded animal movement towards the Karbi Hills, safeguarding them during the summer months.
While the elevated corridor is a promising solution, its implementation will take time, so efforts continue to maintain restrictions on animal corridors for the time being.
The first spell of monsoon floods has already submerged half of Kaziranga National Park, affecting 49 forest camps.
Kaziranga’s diverse wildlife, including one-horned rhinos and tigers, lives in a metapopulation that has expanded over the years.
Efforts to recover land have significantly increased the authority’s control over the KNPTR area, allowing for better conservation management.