Kohora: A meeting on flood preparedness in view of the upcoming monsoon season was convened on Wednesday at the convention centre hall, Kohora. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Sonali Ghosh, IFS, APCCF and Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR). It was attended by senior officials from the district administrations of Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Nagaon; Assam Police Department; Forest Department; Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA); District Transport Authorities, and other key government agencies. Representatives from various NGOs, local organisations including the Jeep Safari Association, Hotel Owners’ Association, and members of the media also participated in the meeting, bringing the total number of attendees to around 80.
The meeting focused on reviewing the flood preparedness scenario of the landscape and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among all stakeholders. The critical importance of timely intervention to ensure the safety and wellbeing of wildlife during floods was highlighted. The cooperation and active involvement of all agencies and community representatives in managing the flood situation effectively was sought. An open discussion was held where opinions and suggestions were invited from all participants. Various stakeholders shared their experiences and recommendations based on past flood events. Emphasis was laid on improving animal rescue efforts, regulating vehicular traffic during floods, and enhancing inter-agency coordination.
All participants unanimously acknowledged and appreciated the effective coordination and prompt response by various departments during the last flood season, which resulted in a significant reduction in animal mortality and improved rescue operations. Additionally, the cooperation of local communities, Jeep Safari operators, and resort/ homestay associations and local media in facilitating smooth movement of rescue personnel and providing temporary shelter to evacuated animals and support staff was highlighted as a key factor in reducing animal mortality. The successful regulation of National Highway traffic to allow safe passage for migrating wildlife during floods was also commended. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, stated a press release.
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