Kaziranga Hosts Awareness Program on Flood Safety for Wildlife and Humans
Kaziranga Awareness Initiative
A rhino and its calf in floodwaters in Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga, June 25: Anticipating potential flooding in Kaziranga, an awareness initiative focused on the safety of both humans and wildlife was conducted at Kaziranga Government Model College on Tuesday. This event was organized by the Kaziranga Regional Journalist Association in collaboration with the college's faculty.
The aim of the initiative was to educate attendees on the rescue of wildlife and self-protection strategies for local residents during flood events in Kaziranga. Dr. Rathin Barman, the joint director of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), served as the main speaker, providing in-depth insights into the protocols for rescue operations.
Dr. C. Ramesh, the director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, attended as a special guest and emphasized the importance of such awareness programs for students.
During the session, Dr. Barman engaged students by asking for their experiences with floods in Kaziranga, stressing the need to avoid reckless enthusiasm during rescue missions, which could endanger both rescuers and animals.
He noted that while several rescue operations have been conducted in Kaziranga and similar flood-prone areas, many rescued animals, including hog deer, did not survive after being relocated to wildlife rehabilitation centers due to inadequate technical knowledge.
Dr. Barman highlighted that employing proper techniques and approaches is crucial for ensuring safe rescue operations for distressed wildlife. He also inspired students with photographs from past wildlife rescues to illustrate the correct procedures and conditions for effective missions.
Dr. Bijoy Sharma, the principal of Kaziranga Government Model College, remarked that while floods are essential for the ecosystem of Kaziranga, excessive flooding poses significant challenges.
Arun Vignesh, the DFO of Kaziranga, reiterated that there are fundamental guidelines for wildlife rescue operations that must be adhered to.