Floods cost Kaziranga tiol Park dearly

From A CORRESPONDENT

JORHAT, JULY 28: In the second wave of recent flood, Kaziranga tiol Park (KNP) lost assets and property worth Rs 7.35 crore apart from endangered species, with infrastructure and property like highlands, roads, bridges, forest camps, watch towers etc which were damaged and washed away, said Rohini Ballav Saikia, the Divisiol Forest Officer (DFO) of Kaziranga tiol Park in Jorhat on Friday.

He said this year Brahmaputra water entered through the Northern side of the park through river Difloo that flows through the park which submerged 85% and lost nearly 100s of endangered species. KNP officials further said that a total of 74 species were found dead in past one week during the first wave of flood that submerged 85% of the 4.30 sq km of the Kaziranga tiol Park area. Endangered species like rhino, skes, hog deer, swamp deer, buffalo, boar, porcupine were found dead. Eight hog deer were also hit by speedy vehicles while crossing the NH-37 during the peak flood hour this time, said the DFO.

KNP DFO Saikai said that now during this post flood period respective Forest Range and Forest Beat offices are busy making assessment  at the four ranges under Burahpahar, Bagori, Kohora and Agoratoli ranges and found a total of 65 km approach road to the Sanctuary which is meant for the tourist only, was totally washed off for which an amount of Rs  63 lakh has been estimated for the renovation of the approach road into the sanctuary for tourist. While 534 km and 212 km interl road used by KNP security and for official patrolling purposes has been washed off which is estimated to be of Rs 80 lakh.

On the other hand five camps were totally damaged by heavy water current. He said that out of 250 existing animal highlands, 40 has been washed off along with 33 number of highlands which was under construction was partially damaged during the recent flood as the water level of Brahmaputra and Difloo remained parallel for over 10 days with heavy water current from the northern side, was a big blow for the infrastructure and property that has been estimated till date. “We have placed the requirement against the loss of property and infrastructure to the Government of Assam which was found and estimated to be of Rs 7 crore 35 lakh,” said the Kaziranga tiol Park officials.

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