Kaziranga National Park is situated on the banks of mighty Brahmaputra River, in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, India. In 1985 it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique nature. Kaziranga is a vast expanse of tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests crisscrossed by four major rivers, including the Brahmaputra, and has numerous small bodies of water. Two-thirds of the world's Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceroses live in the park. Kaziranga has the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. The park has large breeding populations of elephants, water buffalo and swamp deer. Kaziranga is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species. The park has achieved notable success in wildlife conservation compared to other protected areas in India. Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, the park combines high-species diversity and visibility. The park celebrated its centenary in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as a reserve forest.
KAZIRANGA WILDLIFE
Tall Elephant grass is found on higher ground, while short grasses cover the lower grounds surrounding the flood-created ponds. Annual flooding, grazing by herbivores and controlled burning maintains and fertilizes the grasslands and reeds. Common tall grasses are sugarcanes, spear grass, Elephant Grass and the Common Reed. Numerous forbs are present along with the grasses. Amidst the grasses, providing cover and shade are scattered trees—dominant species including Kumbhi, Indian Gooseberry, the Cotton tree (in savanna woodlands), and Elephant apple (in inundated grasslands).
Kaziranga is one of the few wild breeding areas outside Africa for multiple species of large cats such as Indian Tigers and Leopards. Kaziranga was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006 and has the highest density of tigers in the world (one per five km²), with a population of 86, as per the 2000 census. Other felids include the Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat and Leopard Cats.
Small mammals include the rare Hispid Hare, Indian Gray Mongoose, Small Indian Mongoose, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian CIvet, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackel, Sloth Bear, Chinese and Indian pangolins, Hog Badger, Chinese Ferret Badgers and Particolored flying squirrels. Nine of the 14 primate species found in India occur in the park. Prominent among them are the Assamese Macaque, Golden Langur, as well as the only ape found in India, the Hoolock Gibbon. Kaziranga's rivers are also home to the endangered Ganges Dolphin.
Air
The nearest airport is situated at Guwahati(shares airspace with all major cities in India), which is 217-km away from the park. The other airport is located at Jorhat, 97-km from Kaziranga.
The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from Kaziranga National Park.
ASTC buses and private buses to Guwahati, Tezpur and Upper Assam are available from the main gate of the park at Kohora.
Best Time to Visit
The park experiences three seasons mainly, summer, winter & Monsoon. Kaziranga's visiting season is from mid-November to early April months. During the monsoons (June to September), the Brahmaputra River bursts its banks, flooding the low-lying grasslands and causing animals to migrate from one area to another within the Kaziranga National Park. Monsoon causes most of Kaziranga's annual rainfall of 2,220 mm. during July & August. The winter is mild & dry. During summer, March & May is hot and one may easily spot animals near water bodies.
Sub-Tropical Monsoon with average rainfall of 1320 mm and temperature ranging from 8° C in Winter to 38° C in Summer.
Most of the accommodation is located along the National Highway 37, which runs along the southern border of the park. Accommodation varies from Forest Rest Houses, Bungalows, Lodges and Hotels. As the total number of rooms available is limited it is advisable to book well in advance. Wild Grass Resort & Bon Habi Resort are among the most sought after places to stay.
- Area: 430 sq km
- Best Season:Mid-November to early April
- Nearest Airport: Guwahati(217 km away from the park)
- Key Wildlife: the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, Leopard, Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo, Eastern Swamp Deer, Elephants, Gaur, Sambar, wild Boar, Hog Deer, Mongoose, Civets, Fox, Pangolins, Langur, Gibbon and thousands of bird species.
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