Kaziranga

Kaziranga is considered one of the world’s finest wildlife refuges, renowned for its role in rescuing the Indian one-horned rhinoceros from near extinction in the early 20th century. Today, it harbors the largest population of this species. The park is also home to significant populations of other threatened species, including tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo, gibbons, and aquatic species like the Ganges River dolphin. It serves as a critical habitat for migratory birds.

Located in Assam, eastern India, on the southern banks of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga’s landscape comprises wetlands, grasslands, forests, and riverine ecosystems. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the premier location to observe the greater one-horned rhinoceros.

Covering 42,996 hectares, Kaziranga National Park is one of the last unmodified natural areas in northeastern India and the largest undisturbed area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. The dynamic nature of the Brahmaputra River creates striking examples of riverine and fluvial processes, with extensive wet alluvial tall grasslands interspersed with shallow pools, reeds, and patches of deciduous to semi-evergreen woodlands.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve, Kaziranga boasts the largest, unspoiled grasslands of its kind, where tall ‘elephant grass’ grows up to five meters during the rains. Deciduous woodlands are scattered through the grasslands, and semi-evergreen and tropical wet evergreen forests thrive in certain areas, often thick and impenetrable. In summer, a variety of orchids are on display, and the silk cotton tree (semal) disperses its seeds in fluffy white balls that float through the air, adding to Kaziranga’s charm. However, the introduced water hyacinth is now widespread, choking other aquatic plants in the bheels (lakes).

In winter, a thin mist often cloaks the grasslands in the early morning, where wild buffalo, rhinos, elephants, and deer appear and disappear like apparitions. It’s possible to spot up to 30 rhinos in the open grasslands. Elephants, often in small herds or solitary tuskers, are seen throughout the park. Swamp deer, though threatened, are found here in their largest concentrations in Eastern India. Kaziranga is also home to species like the common and smooth Indian otter, flying fox, giant squirrel, and various reptiles, including the water monitor, Indian python, king cobra, and 11 species of turtles.

More than 400 species of birds have been recorded in the Kaziranga area, a birdwatcher’s paradise par excellence. This list includes over 100 migratory species from as far afield as Siberia.  Red Junglefowl, Grey Francolin, Swamp Partridge, Kalij Pheasant, Great Indian Hornbills, Green Imperial Pigeon, Silverbreasted Broadbill, and Jerdon’s Bushchat are among the species that twitchers could see in different areas.

The splendid avifauna of Kaziranga also comprises some of the most brilliantly coloured hill birds like the Scarlet Minivet, sunbirds and bee-eaters. Visible around the bheels are Greyheaded and Pallas’ Fishing Eagles, Great Cormorants, Darters, Pond Herons, Egrets, Indian Shags, Night Herons, Gadwall, Barheaded Geese (one the most important Indian wintering grounds), Cotton and Common Teal, Brahminy Duck, Common and Demoiselle Crane and Spotbilled Pelicans. Grey Pelicans breed here in a rookery near the Kaziranga Village. Other birds include the Black-necked Stork (which also breeds here), Lesser Adjutant Stork. Whistling Teal and Bar-headed Geese are the most commonly seen waterfowl.