Kaziranga (Assam) :  Well-known Assamese playback singer and composer Zubeen Garg released three rescued hog deer today in the Panbari Reserve Forest in Kaziranga and appealed to people to help the distressed animals in flood waters.

The singer also participated in an awareness rally jointly organized by Bhumi, Wildlife Trust of India, PFA (People for Animals) and the Forest Department. Hundreds of people including wildlife enthusiasts, journalists, artistes and students participated.

“This commendable act by the singer, students and other eminent artists of Assam would encourage the public to join in the rehabilitation efforts of distressed animals in floods. Jose Louis, Sr. Programme Officer of WTI said.

Due to increase in the water level of the river Brahmaputra, almost 50 per cent of the park has been inundated with flood water. Continuous rain has also made the situation worse.

Animals fleeing from the flood affected areas towards Karbi Anglong – the nearest highland – have to cross the National highway 37 and are at risk of being run over by speeding vehicles. These animals are more vulnerable at night.

Earlier in the day he visited the Wildlife Trust of India’s Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga where the animals were looked after by the center veterinarian Dr. Anjan Talukdar.

The hog deer were rescued from the flood waters by the volunteers of a local NGO Bhumi from different parts of Kaziranga last week and brought to the center for care.

The rally started from the Bokakhat town about 4 kms from CWRC center and ended in Ghorakati near Burapahar range of Kaziranga.

The singer delighted the gathering with a special song composed by him on wildlife following the rally. People later burnt an effigy of a rhino poacher who was recently caught by officials in the outskirts of Kaziranga.

“Let us pledge to protect wildlife by helping forest officials and conservation organisations in the fight against poachers,” Garg said.

Eminent artistes Pulok Gogoi, Noni Borpujari and Champak Barbara painted pictures on wildlife.

“WTI has initiated a Rapid Action Project (RAP) to prevent wildlife casualties during floods. Various awareness programmes are being held in the villages adjoining the park to appeal to people to help the flood affected animals.” Louis said.

To prevent accidents during the floods, local volunteers and forest officials have set up patrolling teams and check posts along the stretch in Kaziranga to check speeding vehicles.

Touched by the rehabilitation efforts of WTI Garg said, “I wish to come back here again and to appeal to people to help the distressed animals.” The singer has shot to fame with a number of popular Assamese songs. His recent hit “Ya Ali” was the lead song of the Hindi blockbuster film Gangster.

So far, the center has already received 9 hog deer out of which two have died due to severe injuries. Six others have died in separate road accidents.

“On an average we are treating two hog deer every day,” Dr. Talukdar said.

“Since the highway passes through the forest, people are afraid to slow down their vehicles at night,” Uttam Saikia of Bhumi said. “Law and order problems have also vitiated the peaceful atmosphere here. Armed guards along with the night patrolling teams are needed to strengthen security.”