Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, is one of India’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covering an area of 1,090 sq. km, the park is situated along the Brahmaputra River floodplains and is characterized by tall elephant grasses, dense forests, marshes, and ox-bow lakes. These habitats sustain one of the richest biodiversity zones in northeast India.
The park is world-famous for hosting the largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which thrives in its grasslands. Apart from rhinos, Kaziranga supports a high density of tigers, wild water buffalo, swamp deer, and Asiatic elephants, making it one of the most complete representations of the Indian megafauna. Smaller species such as hoolock gibbons, capped langurs, otters, and hog deer also contribute to its diversity.
Kaziranga is equally known for its birdlife, with more than 480 species recorded, including migratory species from Central Asia and Siberia. It is recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA), home to species like the Bengal florican, greater adjutant stork, black-necked stork, and a variety of raptors and waterfowl. This incredible blend of mammals, reptiles, and birds makes Kaziranga one of the greatest strongholds of biodiversity in Asia.
About Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga was declared a reserve forest in 1908, a wildlife sanctuary in 1950, and later a national park in 1974. In 1985, it gained international recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique ecosystems and rare species. It was also declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006 because of its healthy tiger population.
The park lies in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, which floods annually. While these floods cause temporary displacement, they also replenish the soil, maintain grassland ecosystems, and create wetlands that support migratory bird species. This natural cycle is vital to Kaziranga’s ecological balance.
Tourism is centered around jeep safaris and elephant rides that take visitors deep into the grasslands for wildlife sightings. Kaziranga is not just a wildlife destination but also a symbol of successful conservation, as the population of one-horned rhinoceroses has steadily risen due to strict protection measures.
