Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

631 animals killed in Kaziranga during floods

By Spl CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI, Aug 23 � Contrary to claims by the State Government, the Ministry of Environment and Forest has confirmed that 631 animals have died in Kaziranga National Park during the high floods in June-July.

According to Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Jayanthi Natarajan, the biggest victim of the flood was the hog deer, as 529 of them died. At least 19 rhinos also lost their lives while 22 sambar were also killed during the one-month period. During the floods in 1988 and 1998, the mortality of wild animals was 1,203 and 652 respectively.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest further clarified that no action plan has been prepared so far to prevent such loss in the future.

Flood is a recurring phenomenon in Kaziranga National Park, which is responsible for creation of a variety of habitats suitable for different species. The recent flood forced much more water than the ecological requirement of the flood plains of the Park, resulting in damage to the infrastructure, the Minister added

The State Board for Wildlife of Mizoram is to be take call on the revised proposal seeking permission for control of fencing and patrol along the Indo-Bangladesh Border in Dampa Tiger Reserve

On a question whether the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has opposed the BF�s proposal seeking permission for building a patrol road in Mizoram along a tiger reserve, Natarajan said that the proposal was considered by the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife and decided to get the recommendations of the State Board on the revised proposal.

The State Government of Mizoram has been apprised of the decision taken by the Standing Committee, the Minister added.

Next Story