Assam Floods: 40 Highlands Constructed For Animal Shelter in Kaziranga National Park

Guwahati: The Assam Forest Department has constructed over 40 highlands for giving protection to animals due to the ongoing floods in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve and other National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam.

Minister for Environment and Forest of Assam Parimal Suklabaidya stated on Wednesday that his department has made complete preparation to rescue animals from the ongoing severe floods.

The minister said, "We are fully equipped to tackle any sort of urgent needs prevailing flood crisis situations in Kaziranga and other National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries and the department is entirely geared up to handle the ongoing disaster."

He added that the new uplands have been constructed scientifically with the services of ample grass and plants yielding fruits like elephant apple and Indian gooseberry. The Forest Minister further informed that more than 25 boats are kept organized for the rescue operations for animals in Kaziranga.

Meanwhile, KNPTR Director, Jatin Sharma said the park has a total of 144 man-made highlands, including 33 big ones for housing animals during floods. In addition to that, an 8.5 km long road cum highland has also been built for providing shelter to animals during floods and for patrolling.

Earlier in August 2020, Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar donated Rs. 1 crore towards flood relief. The then State Minister Sarbananda Sonawal thanked the superstar for his kindness and generous contribution. He further applauded the actor for showing "sympathy and support" during the period of natural calamity in the state.

In July 2020, international icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who also served as the ambassador for Assam Tourism from 2016 to 2019, and her singer husband Nick Jonas had made an announcement regarding their donations towards Assam flood relief and pledged their support to all the NGOs that participated in rescue operations in the state. The couple urged their social media fans to extend a helping hand to the disaster-affected states including Assam and Bihar.

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