After Kaziranga National Park (KNP), the flood situation in the Orang National Park (ONP) located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam’s Darrang and Sonitpur districts, turned critical on Saturday with most of the park being under water.
The ONP is the only stronghold of rhinoceros on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river.
Range officer Ranjan Kumar Baruah said that areas under 18 forest protection camps including Kotgorha, Sawani, Hazar Bigha, Borkhe, Tinkona, Kotashali, Bontapu, Old and Gorbhanga have been inundated by the swelling water of the Brahmaputra and its tributary Dhansiri.
“The animals in the park have a tough time while searching for high lands to take shelter. Forest guards have also faced critical time in performing their routine forest protection duties,” Das said.
He said forest officials have intensified their vigilance over the possible entry of the poachers through the river routes with the help of few country boats.