Lok Sabha Question No. 226 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Impact of Floods on Wildlife in Assam
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 226

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2024

## Impact of Floods on Wildlife in Assam

## 226. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of wild animals affected by floods in the State of Assam during the last five years;
- (b) the details of the wildlife casualties and rescues during the said period;
- (c) the details of measures undertaken by the Government to protect and conserve wildlife during floods, including the construction of highlands and provision of safe corridors for animals movement;
- (d) whether there have been any assessments or studies conducted on the long-term impact of recurrent floods on the wildlife population and ecosystem in the State of Assam and if so, the key findings thereof; and
- (e) the details of any collaborations with local, national, or international organizations to enhance flood management and wildlife conservation efforts in the said State?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) and (b) As per the information received from the State Government of Assam, a total of 847 wild animals were affected by floods in the State of Assam during last five years, out of which, 336 animals were rescued successfully and 511 animals were reported as casualties.
- (c) The measures undertaken by the State Government of Assam to protect and conserve wildlife during floods include:
1.  Awareness Campaigns and meetings are conducted with residents of fringe areas to educate them on wildlife protection and conservation during  floods.  Loudspeaker announcements are made in villages on the do's and don'ts if animals stray.
2.  Additional Forest Staff from nearby divisions are deployed to patrol and  perform  flood-related  duties  in  Kaziranga  National  Park.  They
- also monitor vehicle speeds on Asian Highway 1 (NH-37) to prevent animal deaths due to vehicle collisions.
3.   Additional security forces from the police department are deployed in the  districts  of  Golaghat,  Nagaon,  and  Karbi  Anglong.  They  assist forest personnel with anti-poaching duties and help mitigate humanwildlife conflict during floods.
4.   District Transport Officers and Motor Vehicle Inspectors from Nagaon and  Golaghat  districts  control  vehicle  speeds  on  Asian  Highway  1 (NH-37)  from  Bokakhat  to  Jakhalabandha,  which  passes  along  the edge of Kaziranga National Park.
5. Volunteers from Non-Governmental Organizations and Village Defence Parties monitor animal movements and help reduce vehicle speeds on Asian Highway 1 (NH-37).
6.   Thirty-three new highlands and road-cum-highlands have been created to provide elevated resting spaces for wild animals during floods.
7.   Vulnerable areas are barricaded.
8.   Heavy vehicles are prohibited from using Asian Highway 1 (NH-37) at night to ensure safe movement of wild animals during floods.
9.  Time  cards  are  issued  at  various  checkpoints  from  Burapahar  to Bokakhat to regulate vehicular speed on Asian Highway 1 (NH-37).
10.  Anti-poaching  camps  are  equipped  with  country  boats  for  regular monitoring and patrolling inside the park during floods.
11.  Each  range  office  has  an  emergency  response  team  equipped  with mobiles,  wireless  sets,  traffic  wands,  and  flashlights.  These  teams regulate  vehicular  traffic  and  facilitate  wildlife  migration  to  higher grounds outside the park.
12.   A flood monitoring cell and control rooms are established in all range offices  and the  division  office  in  Bokakhat  to  monitor  flood  levels. Flood level scales are installed in Dhansirimukh and Difalumukh with support  from  the  Central  Water  Commission  to  assess  inundation levels.
13.  Animal Sensor System has been installed in six locations to monitor animal movement and regulate vehicle movement accordingly.
14. Animal movements are tracked through drones in the Karbi Anglong hills.
15. State Disaster Response Force is deployed to provide additional support during rescue operations of wild animals and to ensure the safety of forest personnel inside the park.
16.  Staff from inundated and damaged camps are relocated to safer areas and engaged in patrolling the park's periphery. Temporary camps are established at vulnerable sites frequented by wildlife to ensure their safety during migration.
- (d) According to the State Government of Assam, no such studies/assessments have been conducted.
- (e) Active  support  of  local  communities,  Village  Defence  Parties,  Eco Development Committee and Non-Governmental Organisations is taken in rescue works. These organisations help in management and protection of Wildlife during flood season.

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