Assam: Kaziranga National Park prepares for flood season with wildlife rescue efforts

KAZIRANGA: The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), in partnership with the Assam forest department, has ramped up preparations to manage the anticipated flood situation at the UNESCO World Heritage site.

This year, CWRC has set up four dedicated teams of animal rescuers to mitigate flood impacts and safeguard wildlife at the Kaziranga National Park.

Each rescue team, led by a veterinarian, includes animal keepers and handlers equipped to conduct rescue operations during the floods.

According to officials at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam, the number of rescue teams has been increased to four from three.

It may be mentioned here that every year many animals lose their lives due to floods at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

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Kaziranga National Park in Assam, renowned for hosting the world's largest population of greater one-horned rhinos, faces a recurring challenge each year due to its location in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga's unique biodiversity is threatened annually when the monsoon season causes the Brahmaputra to overflow, submerging approximately two-thirds (66 percent) of the park.

This seasonal flooding, while a natural occurrence, necessitates extensive preparation and coordinated efforts to protect the park's wildlife and maintain its ecological balance.

Kaziranga National Park faced its most devastating flooding in 2017, when over 85 percent of the park was submerged.

This extreme inundation resulted in the loss of over 350 animals.