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The Kaziranga National Park, which lies in the flood plains of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, has often been compared to African parks because of the quality of wildlife viewing. On account of its large rhino, elephant and water buffalo populations, Kaziranga is often referred to as the 'Land of Giants'. Kaziranga national park contains about fifteen species of India's threatened mammals, including the world's largest population of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros.
The riverine habitat at Kaziranga is dominated by tall dense grasslands against a backdrop of the majestic Eastern Himalayas. Wild buffalo, elephants and tiger abound while the forested southern slope contains India's only ape, the Hoolock Gibbon. The mighty Brahmaputra forms the northern boundary of the park, which becomes flooded during monsoon, during which the park remains closed.
The avifauna at Kaziranga comprises over 300 species, including the much sought after Bengal Florican and several species of goose, pelicans and teals. The numerous water bodies are rich reservoirs of food attracting over 100 species of migratory birds - some from as far as Siberia. With many ponds and swampy areas (locally called bheels), this is also a good place to see the Common Indian Otter. The Brahmaputra is also an excellent place to view Gangetic dolphins.
Fauna:
The Leopard is prominent in the park's list of predators, which includes the Tiger and lesser felines like Jungle and Fishing Cat. Primates found here are the Capped Langur and Hoolock Gibbon, while other mammals are the Sloth Bear, Common Indian Otter, Wild Boar, Gaur, Sambar, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer and Indian Muntjac. The reptilian fauna includes the Water Monitor, Indian Python, Common Cobra and the fabled King Cobra.
Birds found are the Black-Necked Stork, Lesser Adjutant, Bengal Florican, Swamp Francolin, Grey Peacock Pheasant, Black breasted Parrotbill, Great and Wreathed Hornbill, Green Imperial Pigeon, Silver-Breasted Broadbill, Jerdon's Bushchat, Pallas' Fish Eagle and the Grey-headed Fish Eagle.
Flora:
Tall, dense grasslands interspersed with tropical wet evergreen forests and tropical semi-evergreen forests, interconnecting streams and numerous small lakes or bheels with the Eastern Himalayas in the background.
Fact sheet:
State : Assam Area : 430 sq. km (Combining Core and buffer forest) Altitude : 80 to 1220 m above mean sea level Vegetation : Tropical evergreen and Semi evergreen with Alluvial inundated grassland Water resources : Bramhaputra river, ponds and lakes Winter : November to mid-February Summer : April to May Monsoon : June to September Rainfall : 2220 mm Temperature : Min 5°C - Max 37°C
