Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. A World Heritage Site, the park hosts two-thirds of the world's Great One-horned Rhinoceroses.
Kaziranga boasts the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006. The park is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer. Kaziranga is recognized as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International for conservation of avifaunal species. Compared to other protected areas in India, Kaziranga has achieved notable success in wildlife conservation. Located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, the park combines high species diversity and visibility.
The park is divided into five ranges - Central (entry point
at Kohora), Western (entry point at Bagori), Eastern (at Agratoli),
Western-most Burha Pahar (at Ghorakati) and Northern. The first four lie on the
southern side of the river while the last is on the northern bank.
A memorable way of exploring Kaziranga is on eleplant-back
as these gentle creatures tread through the tall grass. The park's prized
possessions, the rhinos, are usually found in good numbers grazing with deer
and buffaloes.
Another option is to see the park is to take the jeep safari
which is also highly recommended, as it offers the added benefit of covering a
vast expanse in a relatively short span of time.
While on safari, visitors to the park are well advised not
only to abide by park etiquettes but also to bear in mind its conserbation
history, officially counted as the most successful conservation initiative in
the sub continent in the 20th century (Kaziranga Centenary: Celebrating the
Century's Greatest Success Story, 2005).
Originally established as a reserve forest in 1908, Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary in 1916 to counter extensive poaching of the rhinoceros. In 1974, the Indian Government demarcated the present area as a national park. Then, in 2007, it was declared a tiger reserve under the Central Government's Project Tiger scheme.
Originally established as a reserve forest in 1908, Kaziranga was declared a sanctuary in 1916 to counter extensive poaching of the rhinoceros. In 1974, the Indian Government demarcated the present area as a national park. Then, in 2007, it was declared a tiger reserve under the Central Government's Project Tiger scheme.
The Park is the abode to more than 70% of One Horned
Rhinoceros in the world. Highest density of tigers' prey including the large
prey biomass of tiger found in the country. Harbours more than 60% of India's
wild buffalo population along with the only population of the Eastern Swamp
deer and seven species of turtles and tortoises. The other important wildlife
found are - Leopard, Fishing Cat, other Lesser cats, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civet, Sambar, Barking deer, Hog deer,
Gaur, Hog Badger, Hoolock Gibbon, Capped Langur, Assamese Macaque, Rhesus
Macaque, Sloth Bear, Gangetic Dolphin and Otter etc.
The park also has a sizeable population of birds. Home to 25
Globally Threatened and 21 Near Threatened species of birds. Huge flocks of
pelicans and rose-ringed parakeets can be spotted here besides crested serpent
eagles, grey-headed fishing eagles, red jungle fowl, Bengal floricans,
bar-headed geese and whistling teals.
More than 150 perennial water bodies are located inside the
Park, where water level fluctuates temporally resulting in the generation of a
very rich aquatic floral diversity. More than 32 species of flora have so far
been identified. More than 60 species of
fishes have been recorded and is the breeding ground of many of the local
species.
How to reach
Rowraiah (Jorhat) is the nearest Airport which is 97 Kms. away and LGBI Airport (Guwahati) is 239 Kms. away. The road distances from nearest cities & towns to Kohora are : from Jorhat is 89 Kms., from Nagaon is 96 Kms., from Guwahati is 219 Kms., from Golaghat is 73 Kms. and from Bokakhat is 21 Kms.
Contact Person: Director, Kaziranga National Park
Contact Numbers: +91 3776-268095 / +91 3776-268086
Best season to visit
November to April.
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