Kaziranga & Other Wildlife Reserves Closed Down by Govt amid Corona Crisis

Dispur, March 16, 2020:

Assam has ordered the closure of Kaziranga and all other wildlife Reserves, National Parks and Sanctuaries of the State from March 17 to March 29, 2020 in a bid to shield itself from the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus, which has crossed the century mark in the country.

It has been ordered that mass gatherings should be avoided in the Wildlife conservation and protected areas of the State, which includes Kaziranga and others, till the disease spread is contained.

A statement issued by the Office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife & Chief Wildlife Warden, IFS MK Yadav read, "...it is decided that mass gatherings may be avoided in Wildlife conservation & Protected Areas of the State till the disease spread is contained."

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It added, "...in order to prevent any accidental spread of COVID-19 virus in the Zoological Parks and Protected Areas of the State, it is hereby notified that the Assam of the State, it is hereby notified that the Assam State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden, Guwahati shall remain closed to Visitors with immediate effect till 29th March, 2020."

Additionally it has stated that all the "TIger Reserves, National Parks and Sanctuaries of the State shall remain closed to VIsitors with effect from 17th March, 2020 till 29th March, 2020."

The State Government has also suspended all the permissions granted for film shooting, research, etc. in Kaziranga and wildlife reserves till March 29 with immediate effect.

Assam is adopting the precautionary measures to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the state. In a latest move, it has announced that all the schools will remain closed till March 31. The gyms, swimming pools will also remain shut till March 29 and mass gatherings have also been prohibited.

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Meanwhile, the Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has decided not to attend any public meeting till March 31, 2020 as a precautionary measure against the novel coronavirus situation.

The Chief Minister has also appealed the people of the State not to panic and urged them to maintain personal hygiene to keep themselves safe from this virus. The Chief Minister has also also appealed the conscious citizens of various societies to come forward and take steps for public awareness.

The Assam CM also took to Twitter to alert the people in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. “Do not pay attention to rumours. In case of any doubt or query, please call the Helpline number for 

 

data-focusable="true">#Assam – 6913347770″, he wrote, urging people to call the helpline number that has been initiated across the country to combat the COVID-19 spread.

The personnel of the ASTC also used sanitation in front of their offices in order to spread the message of “prevention” from the deadly disease. Earlier today, ASTC employess were seen spraying bus seats with disinfectants in a bid to cleanse the virus. These steps are being taken amid rampant rumours of the disease having come to India.

The novel virus has claimed as many as 6,526 lives worldwide, and 87,580 people are currently affected. 5,937 are said to be in serious/critical condition. Total cases currently is 171887. (Source - https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)

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