Kaziranga, the land of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, is located on
the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river. Surrounded by the hills of
Barail and Karbi Anglong to the south, the Kaziranga National Park is
considered one of the most beautiful parks in India. One-horned rhinos
were hunted mercilessly here and they were almost on the brink of
extinction. The area, therefore, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in
1950. Kaziranga became a national park in 1974 and a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1985. The park stretching over an area of 430 sq. kms
is one of the last habitats of the Indian rhino. Kaziranga is one of the
few places in India where one can see rhinos in its natural habitat.
Prime Attractions of the Park
Flora
Situated against the beautiful backdrop of the forest-covered Karbi
Anglong Hills, Kaziranga occupies the vast valley floor. The terrain of
the park consists of a vast stretch of coarse, sheer forest, tall
elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests.
Fauna
Kaziranga is renowned for its rhino population, which is more than a
thousand now. Besides the great Indian one horned Rhino, other major
wild attractions include tiger, leopard, Indian elephant, Indian bison,
Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bear, cat, Jungle cats, otter,
capped langurs, hog badgers, wild boar, jackal, Hoolock gibbons, wild
buffalo, pythons, monitor lizards etc.
Avi-Fauna
Kaziranga National Park is a birdwatcher's paradise too, including both
resident and migratory birds. Most popular bird species found in the
park are Oriental honey buzzard, black-shouldered kite, black kite,
Brahminy kite, Pallas's fishing eagle, white-tailed eagle, grey-headed
fishing eagle, himalayan griffon etc. The migratory birds visiting the
park during winters include Greylag geese, bar-headed geese, ruddy
shelduck, gadwall, falcated duck, red-crested Pochard and Northern
shoveller.
Elephant Safari
An elephant safari makes the park easily accessible and wildlife
watching more pleasurable. One can leave for the park in the early
morning for an elephant ride. Authorized and trained mahouts guide
visitors through the park, one can see herds of elephants, Indian rhinos
and other wildlife at close quarters.
Nearby Attractions
Tourists can also pay a visit to the nearby tea gardens, or the coffee
and rubber plantations of the Karbi Anglong. Karbi villages are a nice
place to meet the local people and observe their unique lifestyle.