Feral horses of Assam's Dibru-Saikhowa migrate to Arunachal amid habitat loss
Reported by Manoj Kumar Ojha
Doomdooma: The movement of feral horses from Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park to the Paglam area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley, along with sightings in other parts of Assam, has drawn attention from tourists, nature enthusiasts and conservationists.
Lower Dibang Valley, which borders the eastern part of Tinsukia district through the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Setu area, has recently reported sightings of the horses.
Conservationists believe the movement may be linked to environmental changes affecting the national park.
"When wild animals move beyond their traditional range, nature is often trying to tell us something," a wildlife observer remarked.
The feral horses of Dibru-Saikhowa are descendants of domesticated animals that adapted to life in the wild over generations. They have long been found in the park's riverine grasslands and sandbars.
According to conservationists, recent years have seen prolonged monsoon flooding in Dibru-Saikhowa, with large parts of the park remaining submerged for extended periods.
Riverbank erosion and reduction of grassland areas have affected grazing habitats, leading some wildlife species to move beyond their usual range in search of food and shelter.
"The horses are not abandoning their home; they are responding to a landscape that is rapidly changing around them," conservationists say.
The feral horses are believed to be descendants of domesticated horses left behind during World War II. They now live in small herds across the floodplains and grasslands of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
Conservationists say the recent movement of the horses has raised concerns about the impact of climate change, flooding and habitat changes on the Dibru-Saikhowa ecosystem.
They have also stressed the need for measures to ensure the long-term conservation of the feral horse population in the national park.