GUWAHATI:
The Assam forest department has constructed around 40 highlands for sheltering the animals affected by the flood situation in various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in the state.
Speaking about the precautionary measures taken by the forest department amidst the grim flood situation in Assam, environment and forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya informed that the department is prepared to rescue animals from the onslaught of ongoing floods at Kaziranga and other parks where the animals have been affected.
“We have successfully completed the construction of around 40 highlands for tackling the prevailing flood situations in Kaziranga and other National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries,” Suklabaidya quipped.
Suklabaidya further said that the new highlands have been designed scientifically with provision for adequate grass, and plants yielding fruits such as elephant apple and Indian gooseberry.
Stating that the highlands help in reducing animal casualty during the annual flood season, Suklabaidya said that the fold situation is closely being monitored and the forest officials are working round the clock.
“Kaziranga bears the brunt of floods every year, be it small or big. We are fully equipped to tackle any sort of exigency along with food arrangements for the officials and forest personnel deployed for rescue operations of animals in Kaziranga,” he added.
For immediately rescuing the animals, he also said that 25 boats have been kept ready.
Meanwhile, KNPTR director, Jatindra Sarma said the park has a total of 144 man-made highlands, including 33 big ones for housing animals during floods. “In addition to that, we have built an 8.5 km long road cum highland for providing shelter to animals during floods and for patrolling,” Sarma said.
Sarma further stated that vaccination of cattle and camp elephants has been carried out near the periphery of the park in the last one and a half months to prevent infection from domestic animals to wild animals.