subject: Wildlife Kaziranga National Park Assam,india [print this page] Hunted mercilessly, it was on the brink of extinction when conservationists awoke to its plight. The result, and a successful one at that, is Kaziranga National Park, in Assam. This wildlife sanctuary stretching over an area of 430sq km on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Kaziranga is one of the last refuges of the Indian rhino. A vast stretch of coarse, tall elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical forests, it has managed to survive the onslaught of poachers, urbanization and burgeoning human populations. Kaziranga National Park is home also to elephants, sloth bears, tigers, leopard cats, jungle cats, hog badgers, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, pigs, jackals, porcupines, pythons, wild buffaloes, Indian bison, swamp deer, sambhars and hog deer. Besides these, the park has a respectable avian population, which increases considerably in the winter, when migrating birds visit the park.
Historically Speaking
Fairly early on- in 1908, in fact- Kaziranga was declared a reserve forest and was officially closed for shooting; at the time it could boast of only a few dozen rhinos. By 1950 the area was a wildlife sanctuary, and in 1974 it was designated a national park. Bounded by the misty blue hills of Barail
and Karbi Anglong to the south, the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Today its one of the few places in India where its possible to see the rhino out in the open- an awesome sight indeed. And, whats better still, the rhino population of Kaziranga now numbers more than a thousand of the creatures. Endangered, no doubt, but protected too.
Night Out
The only option available in Kaziranga for eating are the restaurants attached to the various hotels and resorts in the park. The Bon Habi Jungle Resort and Wild Grass are great options for eating out in Kaziranga. They serve a range of authentic Assamese dishes as well as Chinese and Continental.
Activities
Guided tours by jeep or elephants are the available options to experience the fauna and flora of the park. Observing the wildlife is the main activity in and around the park.
Sights
At the Kaziranga National Park you can see the star of the park the Rhinoceros. There are also said to be a lot of tigers in the Kaziranga National Park but they are rarely spotted because of the tall elephants grass growing in the park.
How to get there by Air
Jorhat, 96 km from the sanctuary, is the nearest airport, but Guwahatis Borjhar Airport, 239 km from Kaziranga, is connected by more flights. Cars are available on rent at both airports.
How to get there by Rail
There are also direct train services to Guwahati from Calcutta, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum. In addition, both Jorhat and Guwahati are accessible by road from all the neighbouring states- West Bengal, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
How to get there by Bus
From Jorhat and Guwahati, taxis and buses are available to get to Kaziranga.
Best time to Visit
The best season to visit Kaziranga is the winter- approximately November to April. The weathers hot and humid through much of the rest of the year. During the monsoons (June to September), when theres heavy rainfall and the park is closed.
Where to Stay
There is a wide range of accommodation available at the park ranging from luxury resorts to rest houses, tourist lodges and dormitories. Most are maintained by the ITDC or the Forest Department, and there are some privately owned properties too. Accommodation at state-run forest lodges must
be booked in advance at the park headquarters. For reservations contact the Joint Director of Tourism, Kaziranga, P.O. Kaziranga National Park, Dist. Jorhat, Assam, India: . Private accommodation is also available, in the form of a luxury resort where rooms can be booked for Rs 1100 a night. Additional information on Kaziranga can be obtained from the Director, Kaziranga National Park, PO Bokakhat, Distt. Golaghat, Assam or from the offices of Assam Tourism in other Indian cities.
Nearby Places
There are many coffee and tea plantations other than a beautiful waterfall near Kaziranga. The lush rubber and coffee plantations of Karbi Anglong and the tea gardens of Methoni, Difalu, Hathkhuli, Behora and Borchapori are a great place for leisurely walks. Also acquaint yourself with the lifestyle
of the people living in the Karbi or Mising Villages.
For more information for this Destination please check india Travel Guide
