Kaziranga, the greatest park of all, is renowned for its
elephant grass and Rhino, but also incorporates some forest
areas. Covering an area of 430-sq-kms on the southern bank
of the Brahmaputra, Kaziranga National Park, 217-km east
of Guwahati, occupies the vast valley floor against a backdrop
of the forest-covered Karbi Anglong hills.
Flora and Fauna
Rivulets and Bhils, and the semi-evergreen forested "Highlands",
just out of reach of the Brahmaputra's annual floods, blend
into marshes and flood plains covered with tall elephant
grass. Animal sightings are guaranteed, with Rhinos, Deer
and herds of Wild Buffalo grazing close to the park entrance
not far from the Administrative Centre of Kohora.
The rich bird life includes Egrets, Herons, Storks, Fish-Eating
Eagles and a Grey Pelican colony settled among the red cotton
trees. Few tracks penetrate this sea of grass, however,
and the Wild Elephants seldom venture into it, preferring
to remain in the forested Highlands, while Tigers are incredibly
elusive.
With the grasslands bordering onto cultivated fields and
domestic cattle encroaching upon the sanctuary and introducing
epidemics, the wild animals are under increasing threat.
Poaching is rife, with rhino horns fetching astronomical
prices as aphrodisiacs.
Kaziranga's One-Horned Rhino
With a population of over a thousand, the one-horned Rhino's
are the largest concentration in the subcontinent and are
best seen from the back of an elephant, early on a winter's
morning. These Elephant rides last around one hour, and
should be booked the previous evening at the park offices
in Kohora.
Although the elephants do not penetrate far into the sanctuary,
merely travelling in a three or four kilometre circle, it
is incredible how much wildlife can be seen in this small
area; the dawn ride is the best - if one can get up that
early. The rhinos seem oblivious to camera-clicking tourists,
although like the unpredictable wild buffalo, they are equipped
with lethal horns and potentially ferocious. Although jeeps
penetrate deeper into the forest than elephants, they cannot
get nearly as close to the wild animals.
Other Attractions
One can stroll through the lush coffee and rubber plantations
of the nearby Karbi Anglong. One can also visit the Karbi
villages, meet the Karbi people and observe their life style.
Or romp through the enchanting tea gardens and watch how
one gets one's daily cup of tea. Film shows on wildlife
can be arranged at the tourist lodge, on request.
How to Get There
Air:
The nearest airport is situated at Guwahati, which is 217-km
away from the park. The other airport is Jorhat, 97-km from
here.
Rail:
The nearest railhead is Furkating, situated 75-km away from
the park.
Road:
The main gate for Kaziranga, at Kohora on the NH37, consists
of a handful of cafes and a small local market. ASTC and
private buses stop here on their way to and from Guwahati,
Tezpur and Upper Assam; some private buses retain a seat
quota for Kaziranga passengers.
