A view of the NH-37 which passes through Kaziranga National Park. Image credit - Northeast Now

In order to protect the wild animals on the National Highway 37 in Kaziranga National Park during floods, the magistrate of Bokakhat sub-division, Bipul Das has imposed section 144 CrPC in the animal corridor attached to the national park.

According to the order, now the vehicles will not be allowed to ply on the National Highway 37, from the animal corridor at Panbari under Bokakhat sub-division to Haldhibari, at a speed more than 40 km per hour.

The prohibitory order has come into force with immediate effect.

As per the order, heavy vehicles are not allowed to park in front of the hotels and restaurants along the National Highway in the restricted area.

If anyone violates the order, the administration will take appropriate action against the violators under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, it said.

Every year during floods, the speeding vehicles on National Highway 37 turn out to be the killers of the wild animals of Kaziranga National Park.

The animals get killed after being hit by speeding vehicles while crossing the National Highway.

During floods, the animals of the national park migrate from the flooded areas to safer places.

Every year, floods inundate 80% of the Kaziranga National Park.

In 2016, the flood level was much higher in Kaziranga and 212 animals died by drowning while six animals were killed by speeding vehicles on the National Highway.

Uttam Saikia is Northeast Now Correspondent in Kaziranga. He can be reached at: [email protected]