In spite of the devastating floods creating havoc in the Kaziranga National Park, it is set to open on October 2 this year, a month before the usual opening date of November 1.

According to the Park officials, only two forest ranges — Kohora and Bagori — will be opened initially. Agoratoli forest range on the eastern side of the park will remain closed for tourists due to the destruction caused by the floods.

Work on the roads along the visitors' circuits is being done speedily to get them ready for the jungle safari. The heavy floods in July and August in Kaziranga had adversely affected the park and some time would be needed to tide over it.

An official said that although the focus is on preparing the infrastructure for the visitors, the park is being opened ahead of time to ease the rush of tourists.

In the last two months, the field staff was mostly engaged round-the-clock in dealing with the flood situation. Due to the active coordination between the forest department, police and the district administration, Kaziranga National Park recorded zero rhino poaching during the floods. The park is known for its large population of rhinoceros.

Rhinos are most vulnerable to poachers when Kaziranga is flooded. It is unfortunate that nearly 400 animals, including 31 rhinos, were killed in the floods in July and August when water from Brahmaputra surged up to 8 metres at several places inside the park.