Wildlife Holidays: Kaziranga National Park

LOCATION

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

FLORA: Four main types of vegetation types exist in the park. These are alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests and tropical semi-evergreen forests.

There is a difference in altitude between the eastern and western areas, with the western side being at a lower altitude. The western reaches of the park are dominated by grasslands.  

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).

There are many different aquatic floras in the lakes, ponds and along the river shores. The invasive Water Hyacinth is very common, often choking the water bodies, but it is cleared during destructive floods. Another invasive species, Mimosa invisa, which is toxic to herbivores, was cleared by Kaziranga staff.

FAUNA:Kaziranga contains significant breeding populations of 35 mammalian species, of which 15 are threatened as per the IUCN Red List. The park has the distinction of being home to the world's largest population of the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros (1,855), Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (1,666) and Eastern Swamp Deer (468). Significant populations of large herbivores include elephants (1,940), gaur (30) and sambar (58). Small herbivores include the Indian Muntjac, wild boar and hog deer. A few centuries ago, the Indian one horned Rhinoceros ranged across the north Indian plains in the wetlands of the rivers Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra. Today this survivor from the prehistoric times is found only in pockets in the north eastern state of Assam and in Nepal. In Assam, their Rhino habitat is limited to just two national parks - Kaziranga and Manas.

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.

Kaziranga has been identified by Birdlife International as an Imported Bird Area. It is home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers and game birds. Birds such as the Lesser White-fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer's Pochard Duck, Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black-necked Stork, and Asian Openbill stork migrate from Central Asia to Kazirangha during winter. Riverine birds include the Blyth's Kingfisher, White-bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Spotted Greenshank and Black-bellied Tern. Birds of prey include the rare Eastern Imperial, Greater Spotted, White-tailed, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, and the Lesser Kestrel.

Kaziranga was once home to seven species of vultures, but the vulture population reached a near extinction by supposedly feeding on animal carcasses containing the drug Diclofenac. Only the Indian Vulture, Slender-billed vulture, and Indian White-rumped Vulture have survived. Game birds include the Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican and Pale-capped Pigeon.

Other families of birds inhabiting Kaziranga include the Great Indian Hornbill and Wreathed Hornbill, Old World babblers such as Jerdon's and Marsh Babblers, weaver birds such as the common Baya Weaver, threatened Finn's Weavers, thrushes such as Hodgson's Bushchat and Old World warblers like the Bristled Grassbird. Other threatened species include Black-breasted Parrotbill and the Rufous-vented Prinia.

Two of the largest snakes in the world, the Reticulated Python and Rock Python, as well as the longest venomous snake in the world, the King Cobra, inhabit the park. Other snakes found here include the Indian Cobra, Monocled Cobra, Russell's viper and the Common Krait. Monitor Lizard species found here include the Bengal Monitor and the Water Monitor. Other reptiles include fifteen species of turtle, such as the endemic Assam Roofed Turtle and one species of tortoise, the Brown Tortoise. 42 species of fish are found in the area including the Tetraodon.

Other Attractions In Kaziranga

Tourists can stroll through the lush coffee and rubber plantations of the nearby Karbi Anglong or visit the Karbi villages, meet the Karbi people and observe their way of living. Yiu can also venture through the tea gardens that Assam is so famous for and watch how one gets one's daily cup of tea. Film shows on wildlife can be arranged at the various tourist lodges in Kaziranga, on request.

How to Get there

►KAJIRANGA IN GOOGLE MAPS◄

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.

Rail

The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from Kaziranga National Park.

Road

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.

Climate

Sub-Tropical Monsoon with average rainfall of 1320 mm and temperature ranging from 8° C in Winter to 38° C in Summer.

ACCOMMODATION

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.

QUICK FACTS

• 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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