Guwahati, 12th July: Kaziranga National Park (KNP), an iconic sanctuary for the one-horned rhinoceros and diverse wildlife, is facing its most severe flood in a decade. Spread across 1,090 square kilometers in Assam, the park recently recorded a record-high water level of 87.47 meters at Nimatighat in Jorhat district on June 1, surpassing previous highs set in 2017.
The floods have taken a toll on KNP’s biodiversity, claiming the lives of 174 animals, including 10 precious one-horned rhinos. Hog deer, particularly vulnerable to drowning, accounted for 153 casualties, exacerbated by two deaths from vehicle collisions on nearby highways. In 2017, the park suffered its worst flood with 291 animal deaths, including 24 rhinos.
Despite the grim situation, dedicated efforts by forest personnel have led to the rescue of 135 animals amidst challenging conditions. These efforts remain crucial in mitigating further losses and aiding the park’s recovery.
“While the loss of wildlife is tragic, flooding is integral to KNP’s ecosystem, energizing it and sustaining wildlife, especially along the Brahmaputra river,” emphasized Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, CEO of Aranyak, a biodiversity conservation group in Assam.
While Kaziranga grapples with its flood crisis, Assam’s overall flood scenario is gradually improving. According to the latest bulletin from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, 13.99 lakh people across 2,545 villages in 26 districts remain affected. Tragically, 83 flood-related fatalities have been reported this year.
The situation at Kaziranga underscores the dual challenge of preserving wildlife habitats and managing natural cycles in flood-prone regions like Assam, highlighting the need for sustained conservation efforts and disaster management strategies.
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