KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK – ASSAM
Kaziranga National Park is regarded as the first and the oldest national park of Assam and is declared as a world’s heritage site by UNESCO. Located on the banks of River Brahmaputra, Kaziranga National Park is spread over an area of about 430 sq km and the main attraction of this national park is one horned rhinoceros. Apart from this Kaziranga National Park forms the common habitat of more than 42 species of floras, 27 species of reptiles, 491 species of birds and 35 species of mammals. Kaziranga National Park is divided into four ranges, namely Burapahar (Ghorakati), Bagori (West), Kohra (Central) and Agartoli (East). Among these four ranges the first two ranges Burapahar and Bagoli is located in Nawgaon district and the last two Kohra and Agartoli are located in Golaghat district. Kaziranga National Park mainly comprises of the floodplains of Brahmaputra, Forests, wetlands and grasslands. Kaziranga National Park is spread over three districts of Assam namely Naogaon, Golaghat and Karbi Anglong districts. To the North – East of Kaziranga are the Himalayas and to its south are Garo, Khasi, Jayantia Hills and Baroil Hills. River Brahmaputra forms the northern and eastern boundaries, Mora Diphlu forms the southern boundary, other notable rivers flow here are Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri flows through Kaziranga National Park. The route to Kaziranga National Park goes through National Highway 37. Kaziranga National Park is located in the Indo Malayan realm, and the dominant Eco regions are Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests of the tropical and subtropical moist broad-leaf forests biome, and the frequently-flooded Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands of the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrub-lands biome. Kaziranga is also surrounded by lush green tea plantations. Kaziranga National Park also comprises tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical moist broad-leaf forests along with numerous small water-bodies. Every year during monsoon season a large part of Kaziranga National Park and its surrounding villages gets flooded by the flowing currents of River Brahmaputra. The sunset view at Kaziranga is also worth admiring. The huge elephant grasses at Kaziranga are ideal for animals to hide themselves. Kaziranga is recognized as an important Bird area by Bird Life International for the conservation of avi-faunal species.
History of Kaziranga National Park:
In 1905 Kaziranga formed as a proposed Reserve Forest
In 1908 Kaziranga was declared as a Reserve Forest
In 1916 Kaziranga was declared as a Game Sanctuary
In 1950 Kaziranga was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary
In 1954 Assam Government imposed heavy penalties on Rhinoceros poaching
In 1968 Kaziranga was declared as a National Park
In 1985 UNESCO declared Kaziranga as World Heritage Site
In 2006 Kaziranga was declared as a Tiger Reserve.
Major attractions in Kaziranga National Park:
Flora: Four main types of vegetation exist in this park. These are alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial Savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests. Common tall grasses are sugarcane, spear grass, elephant grass, and the common reed. 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). Apart from these a good variety of aquatic flora can be seen in lakes, ponds, and along the river shores.
Fauna: Kaziranga National Park attracts a wide number of visitors throughout the year for its abundance of wildlife, floral species, bird life and stunning landscapes. Kaziranga National Park is the paradise for Greater Indian One Horned Rhinos and it also harbours the largest population of this species. Apart from this species, Kaziranga also home to wildlife species like Elephants, Deer, Wild Buffaloes, Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Gaur, Hog Deer, Bear, Wild Hog, Fox, Wild Cats, Bison, Jackal, Barking Deer, Asiatic Water Buffaloes, Indian Muntjac, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Leopard Cat, Hispid Hare, Indian Grey mongoose, small Indian Mongooses, Large Indian Civet, Small Indian Civets, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear, Chinese Pangolin, Indian Pangolins, Hog Badger, Chinese Ferret Badgers, Parti- Coloured Flying Squirrel, primate species found here are Assamese Macaque, Capped Langur, Golden Langur. Other species found here are Hoolock Gibbons. As per tiger census Kaziranga National Park has 118 tigers recorded here as per the latest census.
Birds: Kaziranga National Park is famously known for its wide species of birds, as it is identified as an important bird area by Bird-life International. Kaziranga National Park is home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds such as Pelican, Stork, Cormorant, Herons, Cranes, Fishing Eagle, wide species of Ducks, Bazards, Myna, Pelican, Horn bill, Lesser White- Fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer’s Pochard Duck and Lesser Adjutant, Greater Adjutant, Black- Necked Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Blyth’s Kingfisher, White- Bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot- Billed Pelican, Nordmann’s 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, Lesser Kestrel, Indian Vulture, Slender- Billed Vulture, Indian White- Rumped Vulture, Swamp Francolin and Bengal Florican. Other species include Pale- Capped Pigeon, Great Indian Horn bill, Wreathed Horn bill, Jerdon’s and Marsh Babblers, Common Baya Weaver, Threatened Finn’s Weavers, Hodgson’s Bush chat, Bristled Grass Bird. Other threatened species include the Black-Breasted Parrot Bill and the Rufous- Vented Grass Babbler.
Snakes and Reptiles: Kaziranga National Park is also inhabited by wide species of snakes such as the Reticulated Python and Rock Python, King Cobra, Indian Cobra, Monocled Cobra, Russell’s viper, and the Common Krait.
Lizards and Tortoise found here are Monitor Lizard, Bengal Monitor, and Asian Water Monitor. Turtles include Endemic Asian Roofed Turtle, Brown Tortoise and many others.
Location of Kaziranga National Park:
Kaziranga National Park is located around 217 km from Guwahati and 96 km from Jorehat. National Highway 37 passes by the side of Kaziranga National Park. Kaziranga National Park is about 06 to 07 hours journey from Guwahati.
Nearby places of visit around Kaziranga:
Apart from Jungle safari, tourists can visit the villages of the Karbi Anglong tribes. From Kaziranga National Park by walking tourists can visit the tribal village of Miki tribe that passes through tea and coffee estates. From here tourists will get to see dense greenery of tea gardens to their right and the rising mountains of the Miki tribes at the front. This whole region is known as ‘Karbi Anglong’. The Dunga watch tower offers a panoramic view of the national park. Tourists can take a visit to the nearby coffee and rubber plantation ground and the tea estates, for which Assam is popularly known for.
How to reach:
By Air: Nearest airport is Salonibari Airport at Tezpur which is located at a distance of 80 km. Lokapriya Gopinath International at Guwahati is located around 192 km from Nagaon. Another notable airport is Jorehat which is located around 96 km from Kaziranga. Daily flight services are available from Kolkata and other major cities of India with Guwahati.
By Rail: The nearest rail head is Furkating which is located around 85 km from Kaziranga National Park. The other notable railway station is Guwahati which is located around 217 km from Kaziranga. Guwahati is well connected by strong railway networks with Kolkata and other major cities of India.
By Road: Buses that reach Kaziranga generally stop at Kohra National Park stoppage. Kaziranga National Park is well connected by strong road networks with Guwahati and other major destinations of Assam. Nagaon is also well connected by road from Guwahati. From Guwahati several buses are available that reach upto Kohra (the entrance of Kaziranga National Park). Buses that reach Jorehat, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia also pass via Kohra which takes about 4.5 hours to reach. From Guwahati ISBT and Khanapara bus stand buses leave for Jorehat, Sibsagar, Tinsukia and reach Kohra.
Best time to visit:
Kaziranga National Park remains open from November to April but the maximum number of tourists visits during December to March. Kaziranga National Park remains closed from 01st May to 30th October. Very rarely entry to the national opens before 01st November depending on the climatic conditions. As Kaziranga National Park lies on the banks of River Brahmaputra, hence during monsoon most areas of the forest become flooded.
Safari in Kaziranga National Park:
Jeep Safari: Tourists can avail jeep safari in order to get inside the park. The office of the Jeepsy Owners Association is located just beside the Kohra range office. In a single jeep apart from the driver and guard only six persons are allowed for a safari ride. Jeep Safari is conducted inside the national park in two different timings, one is 07.30 am to 10.00 am and the other is 01.00 pm to 03.00 pm. Jeep Safari charges at Central range (Kohra) 3500/-, at Bagori: 3500/-, Agartoli (East): 4500/- and Burapahar: 2500/-. In a single jeep safari 06 persons can accommodate at a time.
Elephant Safari: Elephant Safari is organized from Kohra and Bagori range. On reaching Kaziranga tourists are advised to book the ticket for the Elephant Safari for the next day from Elephant booking center. Tourists are also advised to arrange a jeep that will take them to ‘Mihimukh Elephant Riding Point’ from where elephant safari to the national park begins. The elephant ride is only available during the early mornings. Each elephant carries four tourists at a time. Elephant Safari is arranged between 05.30 to 06.30 am. Depending on the number of tourists another ride is conducted between 06.30 to 07.30 am. The elephant ride booking office remains open from 07.30 am to 09.30 am, 02.00 pm to 03.00 pm and 07.00 pm to 08.00 pm. But after 07.00 pm tourists need to deposit the required amount for the ride and accordingly the authorities confirm their seat.
Jungle Entry Fees: Entry charges per person is 50/-, still camera charges: 50/- , video camera charge: 500/- and Guide charge: 100/-.
Climate of Kaziranga National Park:
The park experiences three seasons: summer, monsoon, and winter.
The winter season: November to February. During this time of the year the climate remains mild and dry with temperature drops to near 05 degree Celsius.
The summer season: Between April and May. During this time temperature remains hot, with temperatures reaching high near to more than 37 degree Celsius.
The monsoon season: Lasts from June to September, and is responsible for most of Kaziranga’s annual rainfall.