India’s One Ecosystem Requires Annual Floods To Flourish

The woes of Assam floods are well-known. Constant flooding in the area not only take away human lives and destroy habitations but are also known to cause widespread animal deaths in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR). Yet, all this flooding is necessary for the survival of the national park!

Kaziranga’s lotic ecosystem

Kaziranga National Park is located in a flood-prone area and hence is no stranger to such a natural calamity. Annual floods are common due to the dynamic nature of the Brahmaputra river that cuts across the state.

It not only shifts its course frequently but also carries large quantities of sediments that are likely to get deposited on the river bed and cause water levels to rise erratically. Dredging often turns unsuccessful due to notorious amounts of sediments brought by the river in a short span of time.

According to experts, flooding does no harm to the Kaziranga national park as it is a unique part of the lotic ecosystem. It is essential for the survival of the flora and fauna of the region.

“It is a riverine ecosystem, not a solid landmass-based ecosystem. The system won’t survive without water”, said P Sivakumar, Director of KNPTR.

Kaziranga floods help in the replenishment of the water bodies and the floodwaters serve as a breeding ground for the fishes. It also aids in the development and maintenance of the alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical deciduous forests, and wetlands found in the area.

Also, since the area is dominated by herbivores, i.e., plant-eaters, the existence of grasslands to feed its population is a prerequisite. The prevalence of annual inundations prevents the growth of woodlands, which may prove fatal for the survival of wildlife.

Many ecologists use Darwin’s natural selection theory to explain the relevance of this natural phenomenon.

“Survival of the fittest” is the phrase often used to describe the elimination of the old and weak plants and animals by strong and sturdy species suitable for the natural environment. Undesirable species like water hyacinth also get wiped out.

When do friendly floods turn into wildlife’s foe?

Floods that help the flora and fauna of the Kaziranga to thrive are potential adversaries as well. Frequent devastating floods are detrimental as they cause large-scale animal death by drowning.

When the water rises beyond a certain level, animals move towards Karbi Anglong, which is a natural highland. However, this journey to the safer ground is filled with challenges for wildlife due to the construction of roads and a multitude of human settlements.

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They often get caught by poachers who sell animal products like ivory, horns, and animal hides for petty mercantile gains.

Some animals enter human habitations and destroy crops, causing enormous troubles for peasants. Locals thirsty for vengeance kill animals recklessly. This is commonly called a “man-animal conflict”.

Some animals meet their end via road accidents. Others are caught by tribals for bushmeat.

What mitigation steps can be taken?

The government must go beyond piecemeal measures like construction of embankments and artificial highlands in the floodplains. They only offer temporary solutions and are futile in the long run.

Due to heavy rains and melting of glaciers due to rapid climate change, there is sometimes an abnormal spurt in water discharge that is capable of breaching embankments built along the river.

Artificial highlands in KNPTR do help in lowering down animal casualties but it is not feasible to build more as they are likely to cause harm to the natural ecosystem.

Moreover, animals like rhinoceros, deers, and elephants prefer to move to Karbi Anglong. They find it more safe and secure. Apart from this, many of them are in a dilapidated condition.

The Supreme Court’s order to ban all types of mining and human activities along the park’s southern boundary is an essential welcoming step.

The building of animal corridors for the safe movement of animals is the best solution to the problem. Regular patrolling of these passages by forest officials and heavy penalties for poachers can provide some relief.

Thus, the real focus must be on ensuring the safe movement of animals to the Karbi hills, which are natural refuge sites for animals.

Image credit: Google Images

Sources: Wikipedia, The Hindu, Times Now, The Indian Express

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This post is tagged under: animal death, Assam floods, brahmaputra river, climate change, Elephants, environment, heavy rains, Kaziranga, Kaziranga National Park, lotic ecosystem, Man-Animal conflicts, natural calamity, poaching, rhinoceros, wetlands, wildlife

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