First monsoon hits Manas National Park

Guwahati, Jun 12 (UNI) The onset of monsoon has brought along woes to the inmates of the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of Asom.

The first to be hit by monsoon is the Manas National Park (MNP) in lower Asom.

The main approach road to the park at the Khalpani range had been virtually cut off since yesterday. Communication remained suspended for several hours today.

''This is the lifeline of the Park and the first spell of monsoon has resulted in flooding of the road,'' MNP director Abhijeet Rabha said.

On Saturday, a baby elephant was rescued by foresters after it suffered injuries while trying to escape the rising waters, Mr Rabha said.

The inmates are bearing the brunt as the waters have started flooding different ranges of the park.

Ranger Mohan Brahma said once the 20 km stretch of the approach road from Barpeta Road to Basbari was renovated, the woes of the visitors were likely to decline.

The proposed revamp of the approach road is estimated at Rs 12.22 crore, and work is yet to start.

UNI