Rhinoceroses

Wish to explore the wilderness in the scenic north east India? Visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam, and you will be amazed to know that it not only hosts two-third of the world’s Great One-horned Rhinoceroses but also serves as a ground for large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer. Established with a motive to conserve wildlife in India, Kaziranga also boasts of the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world.

Location

Kaziranga lies on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot in Jorhat Nawgaon district (217 km from Guwahati). It extends over an area of 430 sq. km. and is bounded by the Mikir Hills on the South and Brahmaputra river on the north.

Basic Facts

The area was declared a game reserve in 1908 to save the one-horned rhino and later a Tiger Reserve in 2006. Conservation of single horned rhino was the main motive of its establishment. Poachers kill these rhinos as the cost of one horn comes to around US $ 50,000. Moreover, it is recognized as an important Bird Area by Birdlife International for conservation of avifauna species. Trained elephants take the tourists for amazing elephant rides to explore the entire national park and to have a closer look at the natural beauty.

When it comes to the wildlife pattern, Kaziranga offers the best of diversity.

Mammals

Breeding populations of 35 mammalian species are the key attractions here, of which 15 are threatened as per the IUCN Red List. Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (1,855), Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo (1,666), Eastern Swamp Deer (468), elephants (1,940), gaur (30), sambar (58), Indian Muntjac, wild boar, hog deer, Indian Tigers, Leopards, Indian Gray Mongoose, Large Indian Civet, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear, Pangolins, Assamese Macaque etc. are the animals that form the major species of mammals in the park.

Birds

Kaziranga is a favourite place of countless regional and migratory birds. Lesser White-fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer’s Pochard duck, Greater Adjutant, Black-necked Stork, Asian Openbill stork, Blyth’s Kingfisher, White-bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-billed Pelican, Spotted Greenshank, Black-bellied Tern Hornbill, etc are the main bird species in Kaziranga.

Reptiles

The park is home to several kinds of reptiles like snakes and lizards. The Reticulated Python, Rock Python, King Cobra, Monocled Cobra, Russell’s Viper and the Common Krait are the most dangerous snakes of the park. Apart from that Bengal monitor & Water Monitor are the most common lizards. If you are lucky, you may find Assam Roofed Turtle near the water body.

The water body inside the Kaziranga National Park consists of over 42 species of fish.

Due to all these factors, it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1985. Mostly people plan a visit to Kaziranga in March ? April.

Originally published here.

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