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GUWAHATI: Barely a month is left for the monsoon to retreat and Kaziranga is yet to experience the annual flood that helps sustain its fragile ecology. Park authorities are worried as plant and animal life in the World Heritage Site are intrinsically linked to the deluge which help recharge over 200 wetlands and revitalise grasslands. Kaziranga — home to over 2,000 rhinos, deer species, wild buffaloes and other herbivores — has over 60% of its 430sq km area under grasslands.

State chief wildlife warden D P Bankhwal said, “We are keeping our fingers crossed. If the dry spell prolongs, there could be trouble.” He said the situation has not turned alarming yet. “But we are in desperate need of floods to nourish the grasslands,” he stressed. Park officials said most of the water bodies are choking with an overgrowth of water hyacinths. Floods would wash away these weeds and recharge the wetlands.

“We are worried that if there are no floods, fresh growth of grass would be affected,” said a park official. The grass has grown tall and without fresh water there would be less chance of regrowth. “Normally, the floods deposit mineral-rich alluvial soil that help in triggering growth of plants — the main source of fodder for the herbivores. If this natural system is disturbed, the fodder base will shrink,” the official added.

Last year, Kaziranga experienced the worst floods since 1988, inundating over 80% of the area. This month last year saw the water level going up to an alarming high of 6 ft. Nearly 400 animals, including 31 rhinos, perished in the deluge.

