Guwahati: The Assam government has imposed prohibitory orders and traffic restrictions along the National Highway passing through Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve to ensure the safe passage of wildlife as floodwaters continue to rise following incessant monsoon rains.
The Kaliabor Co-District Administration issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, after the Divisional Forest Officer of the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bokakhat, warned that rising water levels could inundate the entire stretch of National Highway 715 (Old NH-37), forcing wild animals to migrate from the flooded park to higher elevations in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council area.
The administration noted that heavy movement of public, commercial and essential service vehicles along the highway significantly increases the risk of road accidents involving wildlife during the annual migration.
Additional District Magistrate-cum-Co-District Commissioner Raj Boruah issued the prohibitory order, which came into force with immediate effect and will remain effective throughout the monsoon season, from June 1 to September 30.
Under the restrictions, all vehicles travelling through the Kaziranga corridor must maintain a maximum speed limit of 40 kmph. The assembly of five or more persons within designated animal corridors has been prohibited, while parking or stopping of both light and heavy motor vehicles along the Kaziranga stretch under Kaliabor Co-District has been banned except in cases of mechanical breakdown.
The order also prohibits the use of bright electrical lights at night, playing loud music through vehicle sound systems and unnecessary honking within the wildlife corridors to minimise disturbance to animals crossing the highway.
The restrictions apply to the Rangalu-Bagori stretch of National Highway 715, which passes through several crucial animal corridors connecting Kaziranga with the Karbi Anglong hills.
Authorities have exempted police personnel, paramilitary forces, armed forces, forest officials, security personnel, ambulances transporting critically ill patients, and doctors and paramedical staff on emergency duty from the prohibitory order.
Officials warned that any violation of the restrictions would invite legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with other applicable provisions of law.
Every year during the monsoon, the Brahmaputra and its tributaries inundate vast areas of Kaziranga National Park, compelling rhinos, elephants, swamp deer, wild buffaloes and several other species to move to higher ground in the adjoining Karbi Anglong hills. The highway cutting through the park becomes a critical crossing point for wildlife, making speed regulation and traffic control essential to prevent fatal collisions.
Forest officials have urged motorists to strictly follow the prescribed speed limits, avoid unnecessary halts along the protected stretch and cooperate with enforcement personnel deployed across the highway to ensure the safe movement of wildlife during the flood season.