Why In the News?
- Recently, the Prime Minister of India performed the Bhoomi Pujan for the ₹6,950-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, which includes a 35-km-long wildlife-friendly elevated highway designed to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of animals between the floodplains of Kaziranga and the highlands of Karbi Anglong.
- This project aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict and improve road safety by allowing animals like rhinos and elephants free passage underneath the road.
About the Elevated Corridor
- The Problem: National Highway 715 (formerly NH-37) bisects the landscape. During monsoon floods, 70–80% of the park is submerged, forcing animals to cross the highway to reach the Karbi Anglong (Mikir) Hills. This leads to high roadkill mortality.
- The Solution: The 34.5-km elevated section will allow vehicles to pass above while wildlife moves freely through nine identified animal corridors (Amguri, Deosur, Chirang, etc.) underneath.
- Agency: Implemented by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
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Kaziranga National Park – The Ecosystem
- Location: Situated in the districts of Golaghat, Karbi Anglong, and Nagaon in Assam, it lies along the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River.
- Legal & International Status:
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated in 1985.
- Tiger Reserve: Declared in 2006 (notified in 2007); it currently boasts one of the highest tiger densities in the world.
- Important Bird Area (IBA): Recognized by BirdLife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.
- Rivers: The Brahmaputra forms the northern and eastern boundaries, while the Mora Diphlu forms the southern boundary. The Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri rivers also flow through the park.
- Flora: It is a mosaic of Wet Alluvial Grasslands (nearly 2/3rd of the area), tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests. It is famous for its dense and tall Elephant Grass.
Key Fauna
- The Big Five: Kaziranga is home to five iconic species:
- Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros: Hosts 2/3rd of the world’s population (Status: Vulnerable on IUCN Red List).
- Royal Bengal Tiger: Known for high density.
- Asian Elephant: Massive population that migrates seasonally.
- Asiatic Water Buffalo: Home to a significant wild population.
- Eastern Swamp Deer: Almost the entire world population is found here.
- Primates: It is one of the few homes of the Western Hoolock Gibbon, the only ape species found in India.
Q. With reference to Kaziranga National Park and the recently launched infrastructure projects, consider the following statements:
1. The park is bounded by the Brahmaputra River to the North and the Karbi Anglong Hills to the South.
2. The One-Horned Rhinoceros, which is the flagship species of the park, is currently classified as 'Endangered' on the IUCN Red List.
3. The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is being implemented by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) to provide safe passage through nine identified animal corridors.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: C
Solution
STATEMENT 1 CORRECT: The Brahmaputra forms the northern boundary, while the Karbi Anglong hills lie across the southern highway boundary, serving as a refuge.
STATEMENT 2 INCORRECT: The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros is currently classified as 'Vulnerable' (having been moved from 'Endangered' due to successful conservation).
STATEMENT 3 CORRECT: NHIDCL is the implementing agency for this ₹6,950-crore project designed to facilitate safe animal movement through the nine notified corridors
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