Kaziranga National Park: An Initiative To Protect The Dying Species

Spread across an area of 378.22 square kilometers, Kaziranga National Park is a home for 35 different mammalian species. It is a natural home for many of these animals because of its location on the topographical scale. It is located at the edge of Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot on the plains of the mighty Brahmaputra River. This makes it a natural escape for various local animals as well. The national park was given the status of a Tiger Reserve in the year 2006 because of it houses the highest density of tigers among several protected areas.

A visit to the Kaziranga National Park would let you have a closer look at various endangered animals like Great Indian One Horned Rhino, Royal Bengal Tiger, Elephant, Swamp Deer, Gangetic Dolphin, Wild Buffalo, Golden Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Stump-tailed Macaque and many more. Kaziranga was declared as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International because of its high bird population. It houses a number of migratory, water, game birds and scavengers like Lesser White-Fronted Goose, Ferruginous Duck, Baer's Pochard Duck, Greater Adjutant, Black-Necked Stork, Blyth's Kingfisher, White-Bellied Heron, Dalmatian Pelican, Spot-Billed Pelican, Nordmann's Greenshank and many other.

A tour of this national park is indispensable if you are wildlife enthusiasts. The experience of catching a glimpse of such large variety of animals and birds at one place lures tourists from various parts of the world.

Situated on the flood plains of The Brahmaputra, Kaziranga National Park has a very rich and fertile soil type that makes it a suitable seedbed. Topographically, the park can be quadruply divided into alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests. With such varied vegetation cover, this park is sure to allure its visitors with amazing landforms. A major part of the park is draped in lush greenery of the grasslands. The higher ground is covered with tall elephant grass and reeds, and short grass and beels cover the entire lower ground.

Trees like Kumbhi, Indian Gooseberry, The Cotton Tree and Elephant Apple can be easily seen across the park. Amidst the thick evergreen forests, a number of trees like Dillenia Indica, Cinnamomum Bejoighota Garcinia Tinctoria, Talauma Hodgsonii, Ficus Rumphii, etc., can be found. In the tropical semi-evergreen forests, various shrubs and trees can be found. Some of these are Grewia Serrulata, Albizia Procera, Duabanga Grandiflora, Leea Umbraculifera Lagerstroemia Speciosa, Crateva Unilocularis, Sterculia Urens, Bridelia Retusa, Leea Indica, Aphania Rubra and Mallotus Philippensis.

Visit Kaziranga National Park and get flown away in the mesmerizing beauty of various trees and shrubs. These prolific trees that line up the entire park offer a natural escape from the pollution of cities. Scholars from across the world can also visit this park to study have a deeper knowledge about the different species of trees and shrubs.

Geographically located on the flood plains of Brahmaputra River, the Kaziranga National Park is flooded half the year. If you are planning to have a tour of this enticing national park, then the best time for you would be between the months of November and April. If you are an ardent bird watcher and want to catch a glimpse of exquisite migratory birds, then it is recommended that you visit this park in March or April. Many such birds flock the park during this time. Those interested in having an all-round package of bird watching, rhino sighting along with other mammals can visit the Kaziranga between January and March. Many mammals come out of their hidings during these months and the moderately cool climate would add more fun to your trip.

Kaziranga National Park remains open for visitors from 1st November to 30th April between 7:30am to 4:00pm every day. An entry fee of Rs.100 per head for Indians and Rs.650 for foreigners is charged by the park authority. The Jeep Safari is divided into two time frames; morning safari (from 07:00 am to 09:30 am) and evening safari (from 01:30 pm to 03:30 pm). The first Elephant Safari, costing an additional Rs.750 for Indians and Rs.1250 for foreigners, starts at 5:30am and the second one at 03:00pm. The morning safari is 2 hours long and the second one is a 1-hour long safari.

Plan your journey now to the world famous Kaziranga National Park and witness a large number of mammals, reptiles and birds to satisfy your adventurous side.