Kaziranga animals' movement

  With the monsoon fast approaching, Kaziranga National Park authorities are worried that migration of animals is likely to get affected because of the newly erected fence at Burapahar Tea Garden. Kanchanjuri, which is located at Burapahar forest range of the park, is one of the vital corridors for elephants, rhinos and other animals. During floods, animals migrate through this corridor for reaching elevated grounds in Karbi Anglong district across NH-37. Park officials said metallic fences erected along the Burapahar tea garden would obstruct the movement of animals through Kanchanjuri corridor, especially during the monsoon. Kaziranga DFO D D Gogoi said the issue will be taken up with the tea garden management immediately. "I have already instructed the range officer to take up the matter with tea garden management. We will also ask the management why they have erected the fence now. We cannot allow animal movement getting obstructed by the fence during migration," said Gogoi. He added that another tea garden at Hatikhuli near Kaziranga had also erected a fence earlier. But after the park's intervention, the management had modified the fence, leaving the migration route for animals open. "We also want the management of Burapahar tea garden to seek alternative ways without causing any obstruction to migration of animals," added Gogoi. Assistant coordinator of WWF-India Soumen Dey said, "The fence is going to affect free movement of elephants and other wildlife. The problem will be compounded as soon as rains flood the park and the animals begin to migrate."