(IN): Floods create havoc in Pobitora

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Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=sep1607/at09

 

Floods create havoc in Pobitora

 

By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 15 – The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which has the highest

concentration of the one-horned rhinoceros, has been reeling under flood for

the past six days. As much as 95 per cent of the rhino-bearing habitat of

the 38.8-sq km sanctuary is under floodwater. This has forced the animals –

mostly rhinos, buffalos and wild boars – to take shelter on the roads

running inside and along the sanctuary.

 

" The situation is grim with 95 per cent of the rhino habitat under water for

the fourth day today. The situation has been compounded by the absence of

highlands in the tiny sanctuary, " Surajit Dutta, DFO, Guwahati Wildlife

Division, told *The Assam Tribune*.

 

The floods have also caused food scarcity for the animals, especially the

herbivores. " Things have deteriorated to such an extent that the forest

personnel are providing food to the animals. We are throwing leafy branches

to the rhinos, buffalos and boars, which have all assembled on the jungle

roads, " Dutta said.

 

There have been two reported animal casualties so far. " Bodies of two boars

have been found. The actual status of casualty could be ascertained only

after the water level recedes, " Dutta said.

 

The rising floodwaters have led to the abandonment of many of the forest

camps. " While three camps have been completely damaged, nine have been

abandoned, " Dutta said. The sanctuary has 22 camps.

 

Dutta said that in spite of the obvious difficulties, forest personnel were

keeping a close watch on the situation. " We are also in touch with the local

people for ensuring effective monitoring of animal movements, " he said.

 

Meanwhile, the sanctuary authorities have submitted a proposal to the Forest

department for construction of highlands in the sanctuary. " Construction of

several highlands is a burning need of Pobitora, which is basically a flat

territory. We hope that construction is started by the coming winter

season, " Dutta said.

 

With both the roads linking Pobitora with outside, including Guwahati,

submerged, the sanctuary has virtually been rendered an island. " Only today,

the water level has shown a receding trend but both the roads still have

water at stretches, " Dutta said.

 

The floods have also compelled the sanctuary authorities to shift the

departmental elephants to higher grounds outside. " This has hampered the

movement of the forest personnel but the elephants had to be moved outside

as they were facing food shortage, " Dutta said.

 

Pobitora, situated on the outskirts of Guwahati, recorded 81 rhinos in the

last census (2006), making it the protected area with the highest density of

the one-horned rhino.

 

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