Elephants’ return to Kaziranga signals receding floodwaters in Assam
The Statesman
July 16, 2024
In a promising turn of events for wildlife conservation, Assam Chief
Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on X (formerly Twitter) that thermal
cameras have recorded an increasing number of elephants returning to their
natural habitat in Kaziranga National Park.
This observation is being hailed as a crucial indicator of receding
floodwaters in the region, signalling a slow return to normalcy for the
park’s diverse ecosystem.
Sharing a video on the social media platform, Chief Minister Sarma posted
digital footage of elephants and their families making their way back into
the park.
“The good news is that our thermal cameras have spotted more and more
elephants returning to their natural habitat in Kaziranga as water levels
decrease,” he wrote. The visuals depict elephants navigating through the
lush greenery, a hopeful sign of the park’s recovery.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its
one-horned rhino and its rich biodiversity, including a significant
elephant population.
However, the park has been severely impacted by seasonal floods, which have
disrupted wildlife and forced animals to migrate to higher grounds. The
floods not only threatened the lives of the animals but also disturbed the
delicate balance of the park’s ecosystem.
The return of the elephants signifies not only a reduction in flood levels
but also the gradual restoration of normalcy within the park.
According to the park director, this year, the floods have claimed the
lives of 174 animals, including 10 prized one-horned rhinos, a species for
which Kaziranga is particularly famous. Hog deer suffered the heaviest
toll, with 153 reported deaths, primarily due to drowning, and two
fatalities resulting from vehicle collisions on the adjacent highway, as
reported by the national park director, Sonali Ghosh.
The floodwaters, an annual occurrence, bring both life and destruction to
Kaziranga. While the silt deposited by the floods nourishes the soil,
promoting rich vegetation, the high water levels force animals to seek
refuge on higher grounds, often leading to casualties. The loss of wildlife
has significant ecological repercussions, as each species plays a critical
role in maintaining the park’s biodiversity.
In light of the improving flood situation, Chief Minister Sarma also
announced that light motor vehicles and buses would now be allowed to move
through the Kaziranga section of the national highway, subject to speed
restrictions. However, trucks will be permitted to travel only in convoys
to ensure the safety of the returning wildlife.
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/elephants-return-to-kaziranga-signals-receding-floodwaters-in-assam-1503321208.html
Elephants’ return to Kaziranga signals receding floodwaters in Assam
The Statesman
July 16, 2024
In a promising turn of events for wildlife conservation, Assam Chief
Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on X (formerly Twitter) that thermal
cameras have recorded an increasing number of elephants returning to their
natural habitat in Kaziranga National Park.
This observation is being hailed as a crucial indicator of receding
floodwaters in the region, signalling a slow return to normalcy for the
park’s diverse ecosystem.
Sharing a video on the social media platform, Chief Minister Sarma posted
digital footage of elephants and their families making their way back into
the park.
“The good news is that our thermal cameras have spotted more and more
elephants returning to their natural habitat in Kaziranga as water levels
decrease,” he wrote. The visuals depict elephants navigating through the
lush greenery, a hopeful sign of the park’s recovery.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its
one-horned rhino and its rich biodiversity, including a significant
elephant population.
However, the park has been severely impacted by seasonal floods, which have
disrupted wildlife and forced animals to migrate to higher grounds. The
floods not only threatened the lives of the animals but also disturbed the
delicate balance of the park’s ecosystem.
The return of the elephants signifies not only a reduction in flood levels
but also the gradual restoration of normalcy within the park.
According to the park director, this year, the floods have claimed the
lives of 174 animals, including 10 prized one-horned rhinos, a species for
which Kaziranga is particularly famous. Hog deer suffered the heaviest
toll, with 153 reported deaths, primarily due to drowning, and two
fatalities resulting from vehicle collisions on the adjacent highway, as
reported by the national park director, Sonali Ghosh.
The floodwaters, an annual occurrence, bring both life and destruction to
Kaziranga. While the silt deposited by the floods nourishes the soil,
promoting rich vegetation, the high water levels force animals to seek
refuge on higher grounds, often leading to casualties. The loss of wildlife
has significant ecological repercussions, as each species plays a critical
role in maintaining the park’s biodiversity.
In light of the improving flood situation, Chief Minister Sarma also
announced that light motor vehicles and buses would now be allowed to move
through the Kaziranga section of the national highway, subject to speed
restrictions. However, trucks will be permitted to travel only in convoys
to ensure the safety of the returning wildlife.
https://www.thestatesman.com/india/elephants-return-to-kaziranga-signals-receding-floodwaters-in-assam-1503321208.html