Assam: Elephants return to Kaziranga National Park as floodwaters recede

KAZIRANGA: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared a promising news for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that thermal cameras have captured a heartening sight: a growing number of elephants returning to their natural habitat in Kaziranga National Park.

The video shared by Sarma depicts elephants navigating through the verdant landscape of Kaziranga.

“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,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in Assam, is celebrated for its population of one-horned rhinos and its rich biodiversity, which includes a significant elephant presence.

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The park, however, has been grappling with the aftermath of severe seasonal floods that disrupt wildlife and force animals to seek refuge on higher ground.

These floods not only threaten animal lives but also upset the delicate ecological balance of the park.

This year’s floods have been particularly devastating, claiming the lives of 174 animals, including ten prized one-horned rhinos, according to Sonali Ghosh, the director of Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

Among the casualties, hog deer bore the brunt with 153 reported deaths, primarily due to drowning, and two fatalities from collisions with vehicles on the adjacent highway.

The return of elephants signals a positive turn, indicating reduced flood levels and the gradual restoration of normalcy within the park.

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In response to improving flood conditions, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also announced revised traffic protocols.

Light motor vehicles and buses are now permitted to traverse the Kaziranga section of the national highway, albeit under speed restrictions.

Trucks, however, will be allowed only in convoys to ensure the safety of the returning wildlife.