THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, January 18: Biting cold, fog and mist have their own impact on the wild life.
The wildlife in the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is no exception. Here it is cold and fog.
One forest guard Paramjeet Tiwary of the Bareysarn range of the Palamu Tiger Reserve said that visibility is of 4 feet only this Thursday morning because of dense fog.
The Jharkhand Story correspondent spoke to the deputy director north division of the Palamu Tiger Reserve PK Jena to know as to how the wildlife is reacting to the inclemency of weather.
Jena said, “Weather is extreme. Here it is severe cold now. In summer the heat is equally cruel and torturous. Wildlife here is accustomed to the vagaries of Nature.”
“Extreme weather does impact wildlife. First the wildlife gets into a huddle. It begins to stay close. Cheetals and bison do it very prominently” reminded Jena.
“As grasses are big and high the herbivores sit in it for longer hours there in the grasses. They come out only when there is sunshine,” explained Jena.
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Wildlife takes refuge deep inside the jungle till the weather improves much to the chagrin of tourists who fail to see the wildlife and curse the weather for not sighting any wildlife.
About changes in food and water, Jena said, “Wildlife reduces the frequency of repeated eating. It saves itself from going too much exposed to the severity of the climate.”
Again, wildlife cuts down its movement in severe climates. It reduces its prowl. It saves energy to it by controlling its movement and circulation, said Jena.
Palamu Tiger Reserve has not seen any cyclones or floods in its annals beginning 1974. It has seen high winds and torrential rains for days together but not to the extent of inviting any flash floods in the tiger reserve.
Nevertheless, the climate change occurs here much faster. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns do have their effect on the wildlife here. Their nutrition, behaviour and environmental adjustment change noticeably.
There are 3 prominent rivers namely North Koyel, Auranga and Burha that pass through the river valley of this tiger reserve.
Barring Burha the two rivers are rain-fed rivers. These three do become turbulent in the rainy season but it does not affect the tiger reserve here.
Kaziranga National Park is crisscrossed by 4 rivers. The chief of the four rivers is the Brahmaputra river which inundates it forcing rhinoceros to walk down the metallic road while back here in Palamu Tiger Reserve, the Betla National Park depends on tanker water for its wildlife just because of the severe summer.
Palamu Tiger Reserve bears the best of the weather and the worst of the weather alike.
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