Kaziranga National Park

In the Jorhat district of the state of Assam, encompassing an area of 430sq.km, is the world famous KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK.Located on the banks of the Mighty Brahmaputra, the National Park (notified in year 1974) was designated as a Reserve Forest (in 1926) with the primary objective of safeguarding the most important resident of the area- the magnificent one-horned Rhino. In 1940, it was given the status of a Wildlife Sanctuary. It was in 1974 that it was notified as a National Park.

The thickly forested Karbi Anglong Hills form a backdrop for the park. The flooding of the Brahmaputra causes large-scale destruction of both flora and fauna. However, some semi-evergreen trees survive on highlands. The park is interspersed with small lakes, rivers and marshes, which are covered with tall elephant grass.

The Main Attraction

The main attraction for visitors to the park is undoubtedly the one- horned Rhinoceros. Unfortunately, it rates very high on the ‘Favorite’ list of a species of humans –‘THE POACHERS’.

The Rhino Horn, said to be endowed with aphrodisiac qualities, fetches nearly 1.5 Lacks/kg in the international market. The horn, which is the defence arsenal of this 2000kg animal, has paradoxically become its chief enemy. As both the male and female of the species posses the horn, both are targeted. However, due to sustained efforts of the park authorities, wildlife authorities and the World Wildlife Fund, much has been done to safeguard the life of this rare animal. The park has nearly 900 Rhinos .The famous Rhino belt, which comprises of JALDAPADA, MANAS and KAZIRANGA, have nearly 1500 Rhinos. Efforts have been made to relocate them in the DUDHWA and JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARKS.

The Rhino takes away attention from the other animals that reside here. Besides the Rhinos, there are nearly 600 Wild Buffaloes, 50 Tigers, 700 Elephants, 700 Wild Pigs, 50 Bears, Otters, Barking & Hog Deer, Gaurs, Barasinghas, Sambars etc. Some rare animals like the Hoolock Gibbon, Golden Langur, Clouded Leopard, Pygmy and the slow Loris are also found here.

The Hoolock Gibbon is a tailless ape. It is white-browed and has long arms. With the destruction of its habitat, and also as it is hunted for its meat by certain wild tribes, its population is dwindling. Its loud cries, which sound something like WHOOPOO/WHOPOO, have earned it the sobriquet of ‘HOOKOO BANDER’.

The park also boasts of a large avian population. Grey headed Fishing Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Red jungle Fowl, Bengal Florican, Whistling Teal, Swamp Partridge, Pelicans, Parakeet, Open billed Stork, Egret etc. have been identified in the park.

The ideal time to visit the park is from JANUARY to early APRIL. The park is open during winters (mid NOV) and spring. During the Monsoons, the park remains closed as the BRAHMAPUTRA usually bursts its banks and floods the low-lying grasslands, causing the wildlife to migrate to the hills.

The authorities for the park are stationed at KOHORA, which is on highway 37 and is approachable both from GUWAHATI as well as JORHAT. There are forest lodges at BAGURI and KOHORA .The accommodation available, caters to all kinds of budget (and comfort!). There is a luxury resort called WILD GRASS, which is recommended and endorsed by the WWF. It is not safe to explore the park on foot. The park authorities can be approached for guided Tours aboard buses and jeep .One can also avail of reasonably priced Safaris on elephants. . Elephant's rides are organized thrice daily, starting from early morning (5 a.m.). Due to the thick undergrowth, progress is very slow. However, due to the large numbers of nearly all of the wildlife species, one is not disappointed .The animals too, especially the Rhinos, are used to the attention bestowed upon them by the visitors. However, the Wild Buffaloes are not so mild mannered and when disturbed are apt to use their arsenal (Lethal horns) to settle scores with the disturbers of their peace, and such settling of scores can prove fatal- not for the Wild Buffaloes but for the unfortunate visitor.

A "SAVE KAZIRANGA" campaign was launched some time back, and it has effectively checked the malaise affecting the park. Some of the measures undertaken are aimed at checking the erosion caused by the BRAHMAPUTRA. Efforts have been made to control human encroachment within the park .To avoid retaliatory action taken by the villagers (living near the park), when their crops are sometimes destroyed by the wildlife or their cattle killed by the Tigers and Leopards, provision has been made for timely compensation to them. Traffic on NH 37 is regulated especially during the night. The staff has been trained to deal effectively with the activity of the poachers and higher incentives are given to those members of the staff who perform credibly.