Expansion, Consolidation and Improvement of wildlife habitat – Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve

Kaziranga Protection Project 

Problem

• Fragmented wildlife corridors restricted movement of animals 
• Lack of connectivity to nearby protected areas affected genetic viability of species 
• Need of safe passage to Karbi Anglong hills and nearby fragmented but healthy habitats
• Issue surrounding frequent floods and erosions
• Establishment of formal protection regime in eroded areas was not at desired level

Solution

• Carried out wetland development and improvement works 
• Introduced water harvesting using brushwood check dams to meet water demand
• Removed woody species from grassland areas
• Added  land additions to Kaziranga national park area after removing encroachment
• Conserved water flow using interventions in Potahi beel, Banderdubi etc

Challenges

• Encroachment of areas posed a challenge in consolidation
• Fragmentation of wildlife habitat caused vulnerability of wildlife
• Constant erosion of land by Brahmaputra constraining land of wildlife habitat
• Lack of water conservation resulted in making parts of habitat dry 
• Dry habitats were not fit for wildlife for a certain period of time

Outcomes

• Adoption of a landscape approach as a ground reality
• Increase in migratory birds and waterfowl was praised by Hon’ble Prime Minister
• Better connectivity to Karbi Anglong landscape
• Conserved water increased the carrying capacity of Rhinos and protected lands from illegal encroachment
• Dispersed population of wildlife reducing infighting, inbreeding and harmful effects

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Case Study

Kaziranga Protection Project 

Introduction

The Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve launched the Expansion, Consolidation, and Improvement of Wildlife Habitat initiative, which has contributed to a rise in wildlife population and ensured a landscape approach to protected area management.

Problems

There were problems with fragmented wildlife corridors that restricted animal mobility. Lack of linkage to surrounding protected areas has a long-term impact on the genetic viability of the species. Safe access to the Karbi Anglong hills and neighboring habitats was required. Frequent flooding and erosion turned into threats and the institutional protection regime was not effective.

Solutions

In order to meet water demands, the programme implemented wetland construction and maintenance projects as well as water gathering utilizing brushwood check dams. After reducing encroachment, wood species from grassland regions were removed, and more land was added to the national park. Interventions at Potahi beel, Banderdubi, and other locations were used to conserve water flow.

Outcomes

The Honorable Prime Minister applauded the rise in migrating bird and waterfowl numbers. It improved access to the Karbi Anglong landscape. Conserved water improved rhino carrying capacity and safeguarded sites from illegal encroachment. Wildlife populations are spread out, which reduces infighting and inbreeding.

Challenges

Encroachment of areas posed a challenge in consolidation. There was fragmentation of wildlife habitat causing vulnerability of wildlife especially road kills. Constant erosion of land by Brahmaputra constrained land of wildlife habitat. Lack of water conservation resulted in parts of habitat dry and not fit for wildlife.

Innovation

The innovative aspects included governance practice transformation from specific protected area approach to landscape approach.

Opportunities

The initiative has the potential to expand tourism in buffer regions, providing communities with a source of income. This model may be replicated across the country to improve wildlife protection.

Summary

The project resulted in the transformation of governance practices from a specific protected area approach to a landscape approach, resulting in the formation of the Greater Kaziranga landscape, which spans four districts. The project’s beneficiaries include wildlife whose protection is critical to the planet’s survival.

For more information, please contact:
Mr Chiranjeev Jain, Assistant Director at dfo.eawl@gmail.com

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