Almost trapped within our home in Delhi due to high level of air pollution, we are browsing sites for a decent brand of air purifier that can provide us with the breathable air. It is so ridiculous of us humans that whatever gift nature has given us, we tend to value it only when it is tagged with a price which happens after we overuse/misuse such gifts. We did it for land, then the water and now it is the air! Gosh, what kind of advancement we are pursuing?
Here, I miss our recent visit to Kaziranga National Park, on a Gypsy and Elephant safari, enjoying the wildlife in their natural habitat, not to mention breathing in the fresh and cool air.
First, it was a Forest Gypsy safari that led us through the ways from where water had receded after the flashfloods. The flashfloods left many paths inaccessible but because some of the water had receded we managed to get a comfortable view of the habitat of Rhinos for which the place is famous. Kaziranga National Park is a protected area in the northeast Indian state of Assam. Spread across the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, its forests, wetlands and grasslands are home to tigers, elephants and the world’s largest population of Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.
The Rhinos with their babies, Hog Deers, Wild Buffaloes, Wild Pigs in the verdure grassland was a rare sight for all of us; the tourists mainly from big cities. The long elephant grass covered the National Park spread around 1000 square kms with mud path trails, probably created by big animals.The Elephants used for the safari tour were trained and in the employment of Forest department, who earned monthly salary and even pension once retired.
Kaziranga National Park houses a population of 2000 plus Rhinos out of a total of 2400 Rhinos in India.Rhinos, a species variety from the age of Dinosaurs was almost on the verge of extinction, when wife of Lord Curzon visited Kaziranga in 1905 and observed this fact. Her observation initiated the activism for Rhino protection and the efforts put in by Forest officers of Assam brought up the Rhino population to its present level. Rhinos are the second-biggest living land mammals after the elephants.
During our Gypsy safari we went to different forest posts hanging in the air with the help of pillars, where forest guards were on duty day and night in a bid to protect the animals from poachers. Rhinoceros are killed by humans for their horns, which are bought and sold in the black market fetching great value in the international market. The Rhino horns are used by some cultures for ornamental or traditional medicinal purposes. The horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails.
Rhinos are an umbrella species. This means their survival or demise directly impacts the survival or demise of other species of mammals, birds, insects, fish and plants. They play a big role in their ecosystem.They also enrich the soil and help plants by spreading seed through their dung. The Indian rhino is a large, sturdy beast possessing an armour-like skin. The Indian rhinoceros has only one horn which is 20 to 60 centimetres long. The skin of the rhino hangs in folds and plates that offer excellent protection against predators, elastic skin between the plates allows the freedom of movement. Rhinos, unlike Elephants, appeared in solitary spaces except the mother Rhino with her baby for whom she seemed quite protective too.For humans who are into poaching of these animals may only consider the high price/money they receive in the international market, but every species in the nature has an unique and important role in maintaining the ecological balance. Our mindless greed is worsening the condition of our planet every passing day. The extent of its consequence may deteriorate further, and our future generation would never forgive us for that.