Kaziranga National Park is anational park in theGolaghat,Sonitpur,Biswanath andNagaon districts of the state ofAssam,India. The park, which hosts two-thirds of the world'sIndian rhinoceroses, is aUNESCOWorld Heritage Site.[2] According to a March 2018 census conducted jointly by the Forest Department of the Government of Assam and some recognized wildlife NGOs, the rhino population in Kaziranga National Park is 2,613. It comprises 1,641 adult rhinos and 385 calves.[3]
Kaziranga is a vast expanse of tallelephant grass,marshland, and densetropical moist broadleaf forests, criss-crossed by four major rivers, including theBrahmaputra River, and the park includes numeroussmall bodies of water. Kaziranga has been the theme of several books, songs, and documentaries. The park celebrated its centennial in 2005 after its establishment in 1905 as areserve forest.
Although theetymology of the name Kaziranga is not certain, there exist a number of possible explanations derived from local legends and records. According to one legend, a girl named Rawnga, from a nearby village, and a youth named Kazi, fromKarbi Anglong, fell in love. This match was not acceptable to their families, and the couple disappeared into the forest, never to be seen again, and the forest was named after them.[5]
Testimony to the long history of the name can be found in some records, which state that once, while theAhom kingPratap Singha was passing by the region during the seventeenth century, he was particularly impressed by the taste of fish, and on asking was told it came from Kaziranga.[6] Kaziranga also could mean the "Land of red goats (Deer)", as the wordKazi in theKarbi language means "goat", andRangai means "red".[6]
The history of Kaziranga as a protected area can be traced back to 1904, whenMary Curzon, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston, the wife of theViceroy of India,Lord Curzon of Kedleston, visited the area.[7] After failing to see a single-horned rhinoceros, for which the area was renowned, she persuaded her husband to take urgent measures to protect the dwindling species, which he did by initiating planning for their protection.[8] On 1 June 1905, the Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was created with an area of 232 km2 (90 sq mi).[9]
The Kaziranga Game Sanctuary was renamed the "Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary" in 1950 by P. D. Stracey, the forest conservationist, in order to rid the name of hunting connotations.[10]
Kaziranga has been the target of several natural and man-made calamities in recent decades including major floods. Floods caused by the overflow of the river Brahmaputra,[11] leading to significant losses of animal life.[12] In 2024, six dead rhinos along with hundreds of deer were tallied as drowned by the rising water.[13]An ongoing separatist movement in Assam led by theUnited Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) has crippled the economy of the region,[14] but Kaziranga has remained unaffected by the movement; indeed, instances of rebels from the United Liberation Front of Assam protecting the animals and, in extreme cases, killing poachers, have been reported since the 1980s.[8]
The park is approximately 40 km (25 mi) in length from east to west, and 13 km (8.1 mi) in breadth from north to south.[16] Kaziranga covers an area of 378 km2 (146 sq mi), with approximately 51.14 km2 (19.75 sq mi) lost to erosion in recent years.[16] A total addition of 429 km2 (166 sq mi) along the present boundary of the park has been made and designated with separate national park status to provide extended habitat for increasing the population of wildlife or, as a corridor for safe movement of animals to Karbi Anglong Hills.[17]: p.06 The park area is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River, which forms the northern and eastern boundaries, and theMora Diphlu, which forms the southern boundary. Other notable rivers within the park are theDiphlu andMora Dhansiri.[18]: p.05
The landscape consists of exposedsandbars, riverine flood-formed lakes known as,beels, and elevated regions known as,chapories, which provide retreats and shelter for animals during floods. Many artificialchapories have been built with the help of theIndian Army to ensure the safety of the animals.[19][20]Kaziranga is one of the largest tracts of protected land in the sub-Himalayan belt, and due to the presence of highly diverse and visible species, has been described as a "biodiversity hotspot".[21]
Sambar Deer searching for some comfortable place to stay while heavy rainfall submerged 80% of Kaziranga National ParkFlooded grasslands in Kaziranga with elephant and jeep trails nearby
During this season,beels andnullahs (water channels) dry up.[18]: p.06 The rainy monsoon season lasts from June to September, and is responsible for most of Kaziranga's annual rainfall of 2,220 mm (87 in).[22] During the peak months of July and August, three-fourths of the western region of the park is submerged, due to the rising water level of the Brahmaputra. Each time a flood comes, 70%-80% percent of the national park is inundated for 5–10 days at a time. The flooding causes most animals to migrate to elevated and forested regions outside the southern border of the park, such as theMikir Hills. 540 animals, including 13 rhinos and mostly hog deer perished in unprecedented floods of 2012.[15][23] However, occasional dry spells create problems as well, such as food shortages and occasional forest fires.[24]
Seasonal variations in the vegetation and habitat of the animal is notable in the park. During winter the shallowbeels andnullahs (small water channel) dry up and the growth of short grasses cover up their beds. The grasses also grow around the perennial beels. With the end of the monsoon season, herbivorous animals, especially therhinoceros, rush into these areas for grazing.[25]
In the other parts of the park the tall coarse grasses dry up by the month of December and January and are then control burnt by the park staff. After such burning some animals begin to concentrate in the burnt patches and relish the ash and the partially burnt stems of the reeds. With few winter showers fresh grass blades shoot up in the burnt patches attracting larger number of animals to these areas.[25]With the onset of the summer season the grasses in the burnt patches grow up quickly and the tender shoots turn into coarse blades, which no longer attract the animals. The temperature also goes up and the animals prefer to remain near the water sources especially around the numerous perennial beels and water streams inside the park.[25]During the monsoon, the shallow beels and the nullahs start to get filled up, firstly by the monsoon showers and later by the floodwaters. The animals gradually start moving towards higher grounds, which are situated around the tree forests. When the flood water covers most of the areas the animals migrate to the nearby Karbi Anglong Hills and other adjoining areas.[25]
There are many different aquatic floras in the lakes and ponds, and along the river shores. Theinvasivewater hyacinth is very common, often choking the water bodies, but it is cleared during destructive floods.[29] Another invasive species,Mimosa invisa, which istoxic to herbivores, was cleared by Kaziranga staff with help from theWildlife Trust of India in 2005.[30]
Swamp deer stagIndian rhinoceroses and Indian elephant grazing in Kaziranga National ParkWild water buffalo herdBengal tiger
Kaziranga contains significant breeding populations of 35 mammalian species,[31] The park has the distinction of being home to the world's largest population of theIndian rhinoceros (2,401),[32][33]wild water buffalo (1,666)[34] andeastern swamp deer (468).[35] Significant populations of large herbivores includeIndian elephants (1,940),[36]sambar (58). Small herbivores include theIndian muntjac,Indian boar andIndian hog deer.[15][37] Kaziranga has the largest population of the Wild water buffalo anywhere accounting for about 57% of the world population.[38] The Indian rhinoceros, royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo and swamp deer are collectively known as 'Big Five' of Kaziranga.
A board proclaiming the biological heritage of the park
The Wildlife wing of the forest department of the Government of Assam, headquartered atBokakhat, is responsible for the administration and management of Kaziranga.[18]: p.05 The administrative head of the park is the director, who is a Chief Conservator of Forests-level officer. A divisional Forest Officer is the administrative chief executive of the park. He is assisted by two officers with the rank of Assistant Conservator of Forests. The park area is divided into five ranges, overseen by Range Forest Officers.[18]: p.11 The five ranges are the Burapahar (HQ: Ghorakati), Western (HQ: Baguri), Central (HQ: Kohora), Eastern (HQ: Agaratoli) and Northern (HQ: Biswanath). Each range is further sub-divided into beats, headed by a forester, and sub-beats, headed by a forest guard.[18]: p.11
The park receives financial aid from the State Government as well as theMinistry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change ofGovernment of India under various Plan and Non-Plan Budgets. Additional funding is received under theProject Elephant from the Central Government. Most of this funding is used in paying wages and salaries of the staff and in anti-poaching measures, only a little sum is left behind for the development of the park. In spite of the funding from the government the park faces shortage of funds.[45] In 1997–1998, a grant ofUS$ 100,000 was received under the Technical Co-operation for Security Reinforcement scheme from theWorld Heritage Fund.[20]: p.02
Local people get employment from the park in the form of labour and allied activities. Labour requirements for the park include labour for anti-poaching activities and construction of bridges, culverts, etc. Approximately 100 to 200 people are hired per range for removal ofMimosa, a weed which is harmful for the herbivores.[46] As of 2007 the park authorities have also hired security guards to protect the tourist jeeps inside the park. The park has developed a very good network of intelligence throughout the villages surrounding the park. There are key informants in every village, which reports about the movement of poachers and are monetarily compensated for information they provide to the park authorities.[46]
Kaziranga National Park has been granted maximum protection under the Indian law for wildlife conservation. Various laws, which range in dates from theAssam Forest Regulation of 1891 and theBiodiversity Conservation Act of 2002 have been enacted for protection of wildlife in the park.[20]: p.01 Poaching activities, particularly of the rhinoceroses for its horn, has been a major concern for the authorities. Between 1980 and 2005, 567 rhinoceroses were hunted by poachers.[18]: p.10 Following a decreasing trend for the past few years, 18 Indian rhinoceroses were killed by poachers in 2007.[47] Reports have suggested that there are links between these poaching activities and funding of terrorist organizations.[48][49]
Preventive measures such as construction of anti-poaching camps and maintenance of existing ones, patrolling, intelligence gathering, and control over the use of firearms around the park have reduced the number of casualties.[50][51] Since 2013, the park used cameras on drones which are monitored by security guards to protect the rhino from armed poachers.[52]
Controlled burning of grass in Kaziranga
Perennial flooding and heavy rains have resulted in the death of wild animals and damage to the conservation infrastructures.[17]Several corridors have been set up for the safe passage of animals across National Highway–37 which skirts around the southern boundary of the park.[53]
Water pollution due to run-off from pesticides from tea gardens, and run-off from a petroleum refinery atNumaligarh, pose a hazard to the ecology of the region.[18]: p.24 Grassland management techniques, such ascontrolled burning, are effected annually to avoidforest fires.[15]
Entrance gate of Kaziranga National ParkVisitors are allowed in open vehicles in Kaziranga National ParkBonoshree Tourist Lodge in Kaziranga, maintained by theGovernment of Assam
Observing the wildlife, includingbirding, is the main visitor activity in and around the park. Guided tours by elephant orJeep are available.Hiking is prohibited in the park to avoid potential human-animal conflicts.Observation towers are situated at Sohola, Mihimukh, Kathpara, Foliamari, and Harmoti for wildlife viewing. The snow-coveredLower Himalayan peaks frame the park's landscape of trees and grass interspersed with numerousponds. An interpretation centre is at the Bagori range of Kaziranga to help visitors learn more about the park.[54]Increase in tourist inflow has led to the economic empowerment of the people living at the fringes of the park, by means of tourism related activities, encouraging a recognition of the value of its protection.[6]: pp.16–17 A survey of tourists notes that 80 percent found rhino sightings most enjoyable and that foreign tourists were more likely to support park protection and employment opportunities financially, while local tourists favored support for veterinary services.[55] Recently set up Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park established at Durgapur village is a latest attraction to the tourists. It houses more than 500 species of orchids, 132 varieties of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 12 species of cane, 46 species of bamboo and a large varieties of local fishes.[56]
Tourism benefits the people living in the fringe of the park and helps in empowering the local people. As of 2007, about 35 hotels or lodges of various kinds located just outside the park, four of which run by the government.[46] They employ about 300 people. Some families also offer home stay facilities just outside the park so that the tourists may get a taste of the local life and host can drive and guide visitors into the park.[46] There are also 26 shops selling souvenirs and locally handmade woven cloth that are owned and/or managed by local community members.[46] TheMinistry of Tourism,Government of India and theUnited Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly support rural tourism in village of Durgapur, which falls in the periphery of the Kohora range ofKaziranga along with other initiatives at 31 sites across India.[46]
In 2017, Kaziranga came under severe criticism after aBBC News documentary revealed a hardliner strategy to conservation, reporting the killing of 20 people a year in the name of rhino conservation.[57] As a consequence of this reporting, BBC News was banned from filming in protected areas in India for 5 years.[58] While several news reports claimed that BBC had apologized for the documentary, the BBC stood by its report, with its director general, Tony Hall, writing in a letter toSurvival International that "the letter 'in no way constitutes an apology for our journalism.'"[59] As a response to the report, researchers in India have provided more nuanced understanding of the matter, calling out BBC for the carelessness of its journalism, but also pointing to the problems of conservation in Kaziranga[60] and questioning whether shoot-at-sight has been a useful conservation strategy at all.[61]
Kaziranga Tiger Reserve estimated its annual flow benefits to be 9.8 billion rupees (0.95 lakh / hectare). Important ecosystem services included habitat and refugia for wildlife (5.73 billion), gene-pool protection (3.49 billion), recreation value (21 million), biologicalcontrol (150 million) andsequestration of carbon (17 million).[62]
Kaziranga has been the theme of, or has been mentioned in, several books, songs, and documentaries. The park first gained international prominence afterRobin Banerjee, a physician-turned-photographer and filmmaker, produced a documentary titledKaziranga, which was aired on television inBerlin in 1961 and became a runaway success.[63][64][65]
^Official Support Committee, Kaziranga National Park (2009)."History-Legends". Assam: AMTRON. Archived fromthe original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved4 January 2010.
^abLahan, P.; Sonowal, R. (1972). "Kaziranga WildLife Sanctuary, Assam. A brief description and report on the census of large animals".Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society.70 (2):245–277.
^Talukdar, B. (1995). Status of Swamp Deer in Kaziranga National Park. Department of Zoology, Guwahati University, Assam.
^Kushwaha, S.& Unni, M. (1986). Applications of remote sensing techniques in forest-cover-monitoring and habitat evaluation—a case study at Kaziranga National Park, Assam, in, Kamat, D.& Panwar, H.(eds), Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Using Remote Sensing Techniques.Indian Institute of Remote Sensing /Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun. pp. 238–247
^Jain, S.K. and Sastry, A.R.K. (1983).Botany of some tiger habitats in India. Botanical Survey of India, Howrah. p71.
^Bonal, BS & Chowdhury, S (2004),Evaluation of barrier effect of National Highway37 on the wildlife of Kaziranga National Park and suggested strategies and planning for providing passage: A feasibility report to the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India.
Choudhury, Anwaruddin (2010).The vanishing herds : the wild water buffalo. Guwahati, India: Gibbon Books, Rhino Foundation, CEPF & COA, Taiwan.
Dutta, Arup Kumar (1991).Unicornis: The Great Indian One Horned Rhinoceros. New Delhi: Konark Publication.
Gee, E.P. (1964).The Wild Life of India. London: Collins.
Jaws of Death—a 2005 documentary by Gautam Saikia about Kaziranga animals being hit by vehicular traffic while crossing National Highway 37, winner of the Vatavaran Award.
Oberai, C.P.; B.S. Bonal (2002).Kaziranga: The Rhino Land. New Delhi: B.R. Publishing.
Shrivastava, Rahul; Heinen, Joel (2007). "A microsite analysis of resource use around Kaziranga National Park, India: Implications for conservation and development planning".The Journal of Environment & Development.16 (2):207–226.doi:10.1177/1070496507301064.S2CID54535379.
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