The Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Assam, India is currently grappling with severe floods that have deluged nearly 80% of its total area. This has raised grave concerns about the well-being of its unique wildlife which includes the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos.
Location and Characteristics of Kaziranga National Park
Stretching across 42,996 hectares, Kaziranga National Park holds the distinction of being the most expansive undisturbed region in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplains. The park’s geographical features include multiple seasonal water bodies and the Diphlu River flowing through its reaches. Also noteworthy is the presence of the National Highway 37 within its boundaries.
Legal & International Recognition
In 1974, the park was accorded national status and further elevated to a tiger reserve in 2007. Internationally acclaimed for its biodiversity, Kaziranga was named a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1985. Additionally, BirdLife International recognizes it as an Important Bird Area due to its rich avian species diversity.
The Big Four: Key Species Populating the Park
At the heart of Kaziranga National Park’s conservation efforts are the ‘big four’ species – Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, and Asiatic Water Buffalo. As per the 2018 census, the park boasted an impressive count of 2,413 rhinos and approximately 1,100 elephants.
In terms of rhino population, the park stands second only to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which tops the charts with the highest density of one-horned rhinos globally.
In addition to this, the 2014 tiger census revealed that Kaziranga is home to an estimated 103 tigers, making it the third most populous tiger habitat in India after Jim Corbett National Park and Bandipur National Park.
Beyond the Big Four: Other Species Found at Kaziranga
Kaziranga’s biodiversity isn’t limited to the ‘big four’. The park also supports 9 out of the total 14 primate species found in the Indian subcontinent, making it a critical habitat for these endangered animals.
Other National Parks in Assam
Assam is renowned for its rich wildlife and is home to various other national parks. These include Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, and Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park. Each of these parks contributes greatly to the state’s biodiversity and conservation efforts.
Note: All information in this article has been sourced from TH.
