Kaziranga National Park – Flora, Fauna & Safari Timings

Kaziranga National Park, located in the state of Assam, is one of India’s most iconic protected areas, celebrated for its role in conserving the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. Kaziranga Tiger Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Kaziranga is a symbol of successful wildlife conservation in India. The park lies in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River and features a unique blend of tall grasslands, wetlands, and dense tropical forests, making it a biodiversity hotspot in Northeast India.

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park was declared a national park in 1974, although its conservation history began in 1905 when it was established as a reserve forest. It became a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and a Tiger Reserve in 2006 under Project Tiger. The park spans across the districts of Golaghat, Nagaon, Biswanath, and Sonitpur in Assam and covers an area of approximately 1,090 sq. km. It is renowned for hosting the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, along with significant populations of elephants, wild water buffaloes, and tigers.

Geographical Features of Kaziranga National Park

• • Location: Situated in the northeastern state of Assam, India, on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
  • Geographical Coordinates: Latitude extends from 26°30′ N to 26°45′ N, and longitude from 93°08′ E to 93°36′ E.
  • Total Area: Covers approximately 1,090 sq. km., with a core area of 482 sq. km. and an extended buffer area.
  • Altitude: Ranges between 40 metres and 80 metres above mean sea level, making it a low-lying floodplain area.

• Rivers and Water Bodies:

• • Brahmaputra River borders the northern edge.
  • Several tributaries including the Diphlu, Mora Diphlu, and Mora Dhansiri flow through the park.
• Terrain: Composed of tall elephant grass meadows, marshes, oxbow lakes, and tropical moist broadleaf forests.
• Soil Type: Alluvial and sandy loam, frequently enriched and reshaped by seasonal flooding.
• Climate: Humid subtropical with hot summers and heavy monsoon rainfall. Winter temperatures are mild and dry.
• Rainfall: Receives an average annual rainfall of about 2,200 mm, mostly during the monsoon season from June to September.
• Neighbouring Protected Areas: Includes Orang National Park to the west and Nameri National Park to the north.
• Nearest Town: Bokakhat, located about 23 km from the park’s central range, is the nearest town with road connectivity.

Kaziranga National Park Significance

Kaziranga National Park holds critical ecological and conservation importance in India and globally. It is home to more than two-thirds of the world’s population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The Kaziranga National Park also supports high densities of tigers and is one of the few reserves in India with a rising tiger population. Kaziranga plays a key role in protecting floodplain ecosystems and acts as a buffer against human encroachment and poaching through strong conservation measures.

Kaziranga National Park Map

Kaziranga National Park is located along the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and stretches across four districts of Assam: Golaghat, Nagaon, Biswanath, and Sonitpur. The park consists of four main ranges, the Central Range (Kohora), Western Range (Bagori), Eastern Range (Agoratoli), and Burapahar Range. The riverine terrain, shaped by annual flooding, is dotted with numerous water bodies such as beels (oxbow lakes) and chaporis (sandbars). These features make Kaziranga one of the most dynamic riverine ecosystems in India.

Also Read: Narmada River System

Kaziranga National Park Flora

1. The Kaziranga National Park Flora is predominantly a mixture of tall elephant grass, marshland vegetation, and deciduous forests.
2. The vast grasslands include species like Saccharum spontaneum, Imperata cylindrica, and Vetiveria zizanioides, providing ideal cover for rhinos and elephants.
   Marshy areas support aquatic plants such as water hyacinth, lotus, and water lilies, which are vital to herbivorous wildlife.
3. The park also features scattered patches of semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, where trees like Kumbhi, Indian gooseberry, cotton tree, and silk cotton are common.
4. These diverse plant communities help maintain the ecological balance and serve as critical habitats for herbivores, birds, and carnivores alike.

Kaziranga National Park Fauna

1. Kaziranga National Park Fauna is exceptionally rich and includes some of the most iconic wildlife species in India.
2. The Indian one-horned rhinoceros is the flagship species, with over 2,600 individuals recorded in recent censuses.
3. The park is also home to the Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, swamp deer (barasingha), and wild water buffalo, all listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
4. Other mammals include the hog deer, sambar deer, wild boar, Indian civet, and capped langur.
5. Reptilian species include the Indian python, king cobra, monitor lizard, and various turtles.
6. Kaziranga is a designated Important Bird Area (IBA), with species like the great Indian hornbill, pelicans, storks, and several migratory waterfowl visiting seasonally.