Assam: Traffic restrictions imposed as flood waters enter Kaziranga National Park

Guwahati: With Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) experiencing floods, posing risks to the park’s wildlife, and possibilities of the animals seeking refuge along the National Highway-715 (NH-715) that runs through the park, or attempt to cross it in search of higher land, the Golaghat and Nagaon district police have issued an order advising vehicles to avoid the stretch of the highway from Monday, July 1.

As per the order, no commercial vehicle will be allowed to move on the stretch of the highway that runs through the park.

However, private vehicles will be allowed to pass through the stretch at the regulated speed during daytime, and the local private vehicles will be allowed to cross it at night as well.

To enable the commercial vehicles to continue their onward journey, they will be diverted at Numaligarh Tiniali, Bagori border, and Bokakhat town.

All the commercial vehicles will be diverted from Numaligarh Tiniali towards Karbi Anglong. On the other hand, the commercial trucks travelling to Bokakhat town will be allowed to move from Numaligarh Tiniali.

According to an order issued by Golaghat district magistrate, to ensure animal safety at night, the use of bright lights and loud noises, including music and horns, is strictly prohibited near the animal corridors.

The order strictly prohibits stopping or parking vehicles along the highway within the park boundaries, except for mechanical emergencies. Additionally, public gatherings near animal corridors are forbidden.

The district magistrate has emphasized strict enforcement of these regulations. Violations will be punishable under relevant legal provisions.

Meanwhile, the KNPTR authorities on Sunday said that 26 of the total 223 anti-poaching camps of the park have been inundated by the flood waters. As of Sunday, rivers Brahmaputra and Dhansiri were flowing above the danger level mark.