Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Assam, India, is reeling from the devastating effects of severe flooding. The annual monsoon has wreaked havoc on the park, known for its significant population of one-horned rhinoceroses, tigers, elephants, and various other wildlife species. This year, the floods have been particularly severe, leading to a tragic toll on the park’s wildlife and causing immense challenges for the conservation efforts in the region.
Updates from Kaziranga National Park:
- Losses: 159 animals, including 9 rhinos and 142 hog deer, lost to floods.
- Rescue Efforts: 133 animals saved, including rhinos and elephants.
- Current Status: 7 animals under care; 111 treated and released.
- Severity: Worst floods since 2017, impacting 233 wildlife camps.
- Success Story: Elephant reunited with herd in Tezpur in just 3 days.
- Challenges: 62 camps still flooded; ongoing efforts to protect biodiversity.
A Paradise Under Water: Kaziranga’s Plight
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is more than just a protected area. It’s a vibrant tapestry of life, teeming with diverse wildlife. From the majestic one-horned rhinoceros, a symbol of resilience, to playful herds of elephants and graceful swamp deer, Kaziranga is a haven for endangered species.
However, this idyllic picture has been shattered by the unprecedented floods. The park, a natural floodplain, usually experiences annual inundation. But this year, the ferocity of the floods has been unlike anything witnessed before. Vast swathes of the park have been submerged, forcing animals to scramble for higher ground.
Devastating Floods Cause Heartbreaking Wildlife Losses in Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park in Assam has been devastated by severe floods, resulting in the tragic loss of 159 wild animals. Among the deceased are nine rhinos, 142 hog deer, two sambar, a rhesus macaque, and an otter. The unprecedented flooding has caused immense sorrow for those who love and protect the park’s wildlife, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to safeguard the remaining animals.
Losses and Rescue Efforts
Among the deceased, 22 animals passed away during treatment, including 17 hog deer, three swamp deer, a Rhesus Macaque, and an otter pup. Despite these losses, dedicated forest officials have managed to rescue 133 animals, including hog deer, swamp deer, rhinos, sambar, elephants, and various other species.
Current Situation and Rescue Updates
Presently, seven animals remain under medical care while 111 others have been successfully treated and released back into their natural habitat. The ongoing flood crisis marks the most severe deluge Kaziranga has faced in recent memory, surpassing the devastation witnessed in 2017, when over 350 wildlife perished.
Rescue and Reunion
Highlighting a beacon of hope, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma reported a successful rescue mission where an elephant separated from its herd in Tezpur was safely reunited within three days, thanks to coordinated efforts by the forest department and local communities.
Challenges and Recovery
Despite efforts, 62 out of 233 wildlife camps in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division remain inundated as of Tuesday evening, underscoring the ongoing challenges in safeguarding the park’s flora and fauna amidst the continuing floodwaters.
Commitment to Conservation
Forest department personnel and security forces continue to bravely patrol the park’s grounds, ensuring the protection and safety of Kaziranga’s rich biodiversity.
Ecological Importance of Floods in Kaziranga National Park
As floodwaters inundate their habitats, animals in Kaziranga National Park hurriedly seek refuge in the hills of Karbi Anglong district across the highway. Tragically, many fall victim to vehicle collisions despite speed limits imposed by the administration. The park, sprawling over 1,090 square kilometers, hosts a significant population of 2,600 one-horned rhinos, a species particularly vulnerable during the annual monsoon floods. While the loss of these animals is concerning, conservationists stress the ecological necessity of these floods. They play a crucial role in maintaining the park’s dynamic ecology and essential life cycles.
Ecological Benefits of Floods
Kaziranga is characterized by its youthful ecological habitat, dominated by expansive wet alluvial grasslands and a complex wetland ecosystem. Floods play a vital role in this ecosystem by depositing humus and silt, which rejuvenate and replenish the habitat. They also help in regulating natural succession by reducing and controlling overgrowth, thus ensuring the health and vigor of the wildlife population. Additionally, floods play a crucial role in maintaining the genetic diversity of the park’s inhabitants by removing weaker individuals.
According to Bhaskar Choudhury, head of the WildlIfe Trust of India’s wild rescue division and project head of the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation at Kaziranga, floods are essential for the drainage and maintenance of the park’s 94 permanent and temporary wetlands. They provide substantial benefits to the diverse aquatic flora and fauna, thereby contributing significantly to the biodiversity of the Kaziranga complex.
Spiritual Perspective on Natural Disasters
In today’s world, natural disasters like floods occur frequently, and many believe it is because truth has been overshadowed by falsehood and deceit in this age of Kali Yuga. To revive the truth, Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj has come to guide humanity. He teaches us devotion in alignment with scriptures, bringing forth the resurgence of truth in these challenging times. This spiritual awakening is enhancing peace, civilization, and morality on Earth.
FAQs on Assam floods:
Q1: What river causes floods in Assam?
The Brahmaputra River is the main cause of floods in Assam, as it flows through the state and frequently inundates its banks during monsoon season.
Q2: What is the current situation regarding flood warnings in Assam?
Officials have issued warnings of further rainfall, which is expected to raise water levels in the Brahmaputra River in the coming days. In response, numerous relief camps have been set up across Assam to provide shelter for those displaced by the floods.
Q3: Who is responsible for the floods in Assam?
Unusually severe rainfall and cloud bursts in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya are identified as the primary causes of flooding in Assam. This trend of severe weather events is on the rise, exacerbating flood risks in the region.
Q4: What is the solution for floods in Assam?
Various flood management activities have been undertaken by the Brahmaputra Board, Ministry of Water Resources, and Water Resource Department of Assam as part of short and medium-term measures. These initiatives include constructing bank revetments, stone spurs, porcupines, boulder deflectors, and other infrastructure to mitigate flood impacts.