Assam CM takes stock of flood preparedness in Kaziranga

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday inspected the 33 highlands created in the Kaziranga National Park for sheltering wildlife during floods and asked the authorities to ensure safe shelter, adequate food and treatment to for animals who could be affected.

The Chief Minister visited the Agaratoli range of the park and directed the Forest Department to keep adequate quantity of foodstuffs ready for the animals.

"No animal of the park should die during floods due to scarcity of food and medicines. The Forest and Veterinary Departments must put in joint efforts to work out a strategy to ensure that no animal dies due to these reasons during floods," the Chief Minister said.

He also asked the park authorities to create amenities for the tourists, including revamping roads in the Agoratoli range.

While the Kaziranga National Park authorities have stopped the jeep safari inside the park from May 1 this year, the tourist season will come to an end on May 16. The park will be reopened for tourists on November 1.

The Chief Minister also directed officials to take steps for making the entire stretch of the National Park more attractive for tourists including the 1.2 km Sohola Beel in the Agaratoli range.

He also asked the Forest Department to prepare exclusive profiles for Kohora, Bagori and Agoratoli ranges, which, according to him, would serve as ready reckoners for both domestic and foreign tourists.

Sonowal also asked the Forest Department and local administration to use the services of people living in fringe areas of the park for creating a common platform where the tourists would get the taste and feel of local delicacies, customs, culture, traditions and way of life.

"At the same time, the park authority must ensure that the presence of tourists do not affect the natural habitat of the flora and fauna," he said.

He also reiterated the need for constructing a helipad near the national park for the convenience of tourists and assured all government help in this regard.

--IANS

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