Kaziranga National Park has lost 30 sq km in the eastern range over the past 20-30 years to erosion
Field Director of Kaziranga National Park Dr. Sonali Ghosh is the first female in this position since the inception of the park. She earlier served as Chief Conservator of Forest at the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and head of forest force in Guwahati.
Sidharth Bedi of Gplus caught up with her for an interview touching on topics ranging from Kaziranga National Park’s tourism efforts, conservation and wildlife protection systems that are in place at the park and the impact of the floods on it.
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Excerpts
Sidharth: What does being the first female Field Director of Kaziranga National Park signify to you?
Dr Ghosh: It's an honour and a testament to the trust placed in me by the state government. Being a woman brings unique perspectives and connections, but ultimately, it's about doing the job as usual and meeting expectations.
Sidharth: Assam floods leave thousands and lakhs of people and animals devastated every year. How do the floods affect Kaziranga National Park?
Dr. Ghosh: Indeed, floods are an annual occurrence in Kaziranga. However, they play a crucial role in maintaining the flood plain ecosystem. When you think of Kaziranga, the image of water bodies, the beels (lakes), grasslands, and the Brahmaputra River comes to mind. Floods are integral to this landscape. We are well-prepared and equipped to manage and adapt to these floods.
Sometimes when it is a very hard flood it can be a challenge especially because we have lots of animals moving and we have lots of human areas. For example, this year the floods broke 1991's record in terms of the water levels. The water breached the Brahmaputra within three hours. Despite these challenges however, we were much better equipped to deal with it this year.
Sidharth: How does the team handle hardships, especially during severe floods?
Dr.Ghosh: It's tough, especially for those in interior camps without access to basic amenities like electricity. We rely on solar-powered lights and wireless communication. Each range has a community ration system, and this time we also used state disaster relief boats to deliver supplies. The support from the government, including a pre-flood review meeting led by the Chief Minister, greatly helped us prepare and respond.
Sidharth: How does news of animals in distress reach you during floods?
Dr.Ghosh: We use wireless systems, which are crucial for communication, especially in emergencies like poaching or floods. As floodwaters recede and roads reopen, we assess the damage. While we can't prevent natural causes of animal distress, our focus is on community support and rescue operations. For example, local villagers recently informed us about baby rhinos in distress, allowing us to rescue them successfully.
Sidharth: What does Kaziranga National Park do to prepare for the floods?
Dr.Ghosh: The preparation to deal with the floods starts around February to the month of March.
By the end of February, we burn the grasslands to prevent severe fires and encourage fresh grass growth. March and April are our driest months, with some rainfall in April. During this period, we clear our boat lines to ensure smooth navigation by removing vegetation, similar to how roads are cleared. We have around 233 camps, each equipped with one or two country boats, so that mobility can be ensured for our people during floods.
Sidharth: How severe was this year's flooding in Kaziranga?
Dr.Ghosh: I wouldn't say it was worse than usual. Floods are essential for Kaziranga as they recharge our water bodies. With over 300 water bodies, floods help clear out water hyacinth and silt, much like nature's washing machine, ensuring we have the water needed to sustain our animals.
Sidharth: Do you think Kaziranga has found a balance under your direction or previous directors?
Dr.Ghosh: Yes, Kaziranga has found this balance. Officers like me come and go, but Kaziranga continues, thanks to our unparalleled front line workers with over 1,500 personnel. Unlike other parks that rely heavily on technology, we have foot soldiers dedicated to conservation.
Sidharth: Do you think Kaziranga receives sufficient international and domestic attention?
Dr.Ghosh: Domestically, yes. Internationally, no. We need to improve a lot in that area.
Sidharth: How can this be improved, and who is responsible for it?
Dr.Ghosh: It's a collective responsibility, including you and me. Channels like yours can help popularise it. Most of our tourists are domestic. Foreign tourists often have misconceptions or face language barriers. An active campaign could help.
Sidharth: What does Kaziranga National Park do to boost international tourism?
Dr.Ghosh: We promote our World Heritage Tag, which gives Kaziranga a global recognition. Our representatives attend international events, indirectly raising our profile.
Sidharth: Last year, Kaziranga had about 3 lakh tourists, with only 13,000 being international. Are domestic tourists mainly visiting Kohra and Bagori?
Dr.Ghosh: Yes, they tend to favour these spots. Our Eastern Range Agaratuli attracts birders, including international visitors. Certain moments, like the sighting of the golden tiger, draw people to specific areas.
Sidharth: Wasn't the golden tiger part of inbreeding?
Dr.Ghosh: The golden tiger is an unusual phenomenon, potentially due to inbreeding. However, the exact cause is still being studied.
Sidharth: With many new hotels being built, how does this affect Kaziranga?
Dr.Ghosh: We have eco-sensitive zones that regulate activities around Kaziranga. We ensure any development doesn't harm the park.
Sidharth: How do new resorts impact Kaziranga's ecosystem?
Dr.Ghosh: Water and sanitation are major concerns. So far, we haven't seen significant negative impacts, but it's something we need to monitor closely.
Sidharth: Do you think it might be too late by then?
Dr.Ghosh: We can't allow too many hotels. It's better to diffuse tourism to less visited areas like the North Bank and Nagaon.
Sidharth: Does the elevated corridor benefit or impact Kaziranga?
Dr.Ghosh: It's an old concept that's finally being implemented. The design needs to ensure minimal disruption to wildlife, especially during construction.
Sidharth: As park director, do you support the elevated corridor?
Dr.Ghosh: Yes, but only in key areas where animal corridors are.
Sidharth: When will the threat of poaching end?
Dr.Ghosh: Poaching will stop when the demand stops. Strengthened systems and better coordination are crucial.
Sidharth: Can you show a reduction in poaching since you took charge?
Dr.Ghosh: It's hard to claim. The January poaching incidents were unexpected for us.
Sidharth: What strict actions have you implemented against poaching?
Dr.Ghosh: We've brought in police commando groups for area domination, showing our presence and readiness to act.
Sidharth: Tell us about the endangered species in Kaziranga.
Dr.Ghosh: Tigers and rhinos are globally endangered, though they are numerous here. Recently, we found a Salazar pit viper, which is positive for the park's ecosystem.
Sidharth: What happens when an endangered species is found?
Dr.Ghosh: It's thrilling for us. Finding rare species like the binturong during a bird count brings a unique sense of happiness.
Sidharth: Can you tell us about the tiger population in Kaziranga?
Dr.Ghosh: Kaziranga is renowned for its rhinos, and until recently, tigers were less visible. However, tiger sightings have significantly increased this year, suggesting a rise in their numbers. We recently completed a camera trap survey and will analyse the data soon, but the last count was 104 tigers.
Sidharth: How does the park ensure the protection of tigers?
Dr.Ghosh: Protecting tigers involves ensuring their prey, primarily deer, are abundant. We have around 40,000 deer, providing ample food for tigers.
Sidharth: How does Kaziranga handle animal rehabilitation, especially during floods?
Dr.Ghosh: We rescue and promptly release animals after ensuring they are healthy. This year, we rescued 125 animals. For vulnerable animals like rhino calves, we provide extended care until they are safe to release.
Sidharth: Is the park losing land to erosion?
Dr.Ghosh: Yes, the Brahmaputra River is causing more erosion than deposition. A satellite study showed we lost about 30 sq km in the eastern range over the past 20-30 years. We are working with the water resources department to address this.
Sidharth: Can you tell us about the Vandurga team and their contributions?
Dr.Ghosh: I'm proud of the Vandurga team. Last year, we recruited over 3,000 new staff, including around 300 women, trained in combat. They are highly capable and have significantly contributed to the park’s protection. They were trained in the police training school in Dergaon. Most of the women we recruited this year were young and since a number of them are from Majuli, they also know how to row boats which becomes a huge help for us during the flood preparation efforts.
