Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday visited the Kaziranga National Park to review the preparation of the park authorities on tackling the probable flood situation in the park.
He asked the department concerned to take steps for construction of a helipad near the park.
The park, a UNESCO world heritage site, will be closed for tourists from Thursday (May 16). The park will again reopen for tourists from November 1.
The chief minister visited the 33 high lands constructed by the park authorities inside the park for shelter of the wild animals during the ensuing flood season and took stock of the arrangements of food for the wild animals during the flood season.
“No animal of the park should die during floods due to scarcity of food and medicines. The forest department and veterinary department must put in joint efforts to work out a strategy to ensure that no animal dies due to these reasons during floods,” said the chief minister.
Out of the total 33 highlands constructed by the forest department, ten are located within the Agoratoli range of the park.
“There should also be steps to make the Sasola wetlands within Agoratoli range of the park appealing for tourists,” Sonowal said.
The chief minister has also asked the officials of the national park to work out a plan to construct a helipad near the park for the benefit of day long tourists.
“Steps should also be taken to ensure that the tourists also get a taste of ethnic food and culture of the Assam while they come to visit the national park,” he said.