Kaziranga National Park stands as Assam’s crown jewel and one of India’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries
Digital Desk: Assam, the emerald heart of Northeast India, stands as one of the country’s most biodiverse states, with over 35% of its land covered in forests. This northeastern gem encompasses a remarkable 78,438 square kilometres of diverse landscapes, from the mighty Brahmaputra Valley floodplains to the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. The state is home to seven magnificent national parks, each protecting unique ecosystems and serving as sanctuaries for some of the world’s most endangered species.
The state’s unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation is evident in the recent expansion, with two new national parks added in June 2021 bringing the total count to seven. Among these, Kaziranga and Manas hold the prestigious status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, underlining their global significance in biodiversity conservation and their role as irreplaceable repositories of the planet’s natural heritage.
1. Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve
- Established:1905 (as a reserve forest), 1974 (as national park)
- Area: 42,996 hectares (429.69 square kilometres)
- Location: Golaghat, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon districts
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1985
- Tiger Reserve Status: 2006
Kaziranga National Park stands as Assam’s crown jewel and one of India’s most celebrated wildlife sanctuaries. Located in the heart of the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain, this park represents the largest undivided and represented area of the Brahmaputra Valley wet alluvial grassland.
The park is divided into five ranges: Central (Kohora), Western (Bagori), Eastern (Agaratoli), Burapahar, and Northern (Biswanath), each offering unique wildlife viewing opportunities and distinct ecological characteristics.
Rhinoceros Conservation Achievement
According to March 2018 census conducted jointly by the Forest Department of the Government of Assam and some recognized wildlife NGO’s, the rhino population in Kaziranga National Park is 2,613. It comprises 1,641 adult rhinos and 385 calves. This represents approximately 70% (2,613 in 2022) of the world’s total one-horned rhinoceros’ population, making Kaziranga the species most critical stronghold globally.
Tiger Population
As a designated tiger reserve since 2006, Kaziranga boasts one of the highest tiger densities in India, with the park supporting a robust population of Royal Bengal tigers that thrive in the grassland-forest mosaic.
Comprehensive Wildlife Census Data
- One-horned Rhinoceros: 2,613 individuals (2022 census)
- Royal Bengal Tigers: Significant breeding population
- Asian Elephants: Over 1,200 individuals
- Wild water Buffalo: Approximately 1,500 individuals
- Swamp Deer (Barasingha): Critical population recovery
- Eastern Swamp Deer: Endemic subspecies
Kaziranga is known as a Biodiversity Hotspot because of its Mammalian Diversity, Avifauna Richness and Aquatic Ecosystems.
Recent Visitor Statistics
With 443,636 visitors from Oct 1, 2024 to May 18 2025, Kaziranga National Park has become one of the India’s most visited wildlife destinations, demonstrating the successful balance between conservation and sustainable tourism.
Safari Experience and Tourism
- Elephant Safaris: Unique close-up encounters in the Western Range (Bagori)
- Jeep Safaris: Available across Central, Western and Eastern Ranges
- Cultural Programs: Traditional Assamese dance and cultural performances
- Nature Walks: Guided walks along designated trails
Best Time to Visit
November to April offers optimal weather conditions and maximum wildlife visibility.
2. Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve
- Established: 1990 (as national park), previously a sanctuary since 1928
- Area: 50,000 hectares (500 square kilometres)
- Location:Baksa, Barpeta, Kamrup, and Nalbari districts
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1985
- Tiger Reserve Status:1973-74
Spread over an area of 500 square kilometres, the park has extensive grassland and is famous for its unique scenic beauty. The park harbours more than 20 endangered species. Manas National Park, situated along the foothills of the Himalayanand bordering Bhutan, represents one of India’s most pristine wilderness areas and serves as a critical transboundary conservation landscape.
Endemic and Endangered Species
Golden Langur: Considered one of the world’s rarest simian species, the golden Langur was first spotted in Manas in the mid-20th century. This endemic primate, found only in the forests of Assam and Bhutan, represents one of the park’s most significant conservation successes.
Rare Species Sanctuary
Pygmy Hog: The world’s smallest and rarest wild pig species
Hispid Hare: Critically endangered lagomorph endemic to the region
Greater One-horned Rhinoceros: Reintroduced population showing promising recovery
Royal Bengal Tigers: Healthy breeding population in Pristine habitat
Transboundary Conservation
Manas forms part of a larger transboundary landscape with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park, creating a combined protected area of over 2,000 square kilometres.
Key Species Population
- Royal Bengal Tigers: Stable breeding population
- Indian Elephants: Regular movements corridors
- Golden Langur: Endemic population
- Over 450 bird’s species including Bengal florican and great hornbills
The park holds deep cultural significance for local communities, particularly the Bodo People, and features prominently in regional folklore and traditions.
3. Nameri National Park
Established: 1998
Area: 20,000 hectares (200 square kilometres)
Location: Sonitpur district, along the Assam-Arunachal Pradeshborder
Nameri National Park, nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, offers a unique blend of montane and tropical ecosystems. The park’s strategic location along the interstate border creates crucial connectivity between the wildlife habitats of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, serving as a vital corridor for large mammal movement.The elevation gradient from 80 metres to 1,000 metres supports distinct ecological zones, each harbouringspecialized flora and fauna.
Notable Wildlife Populations
- Bengal Tigers: Healthy population in prime habitat
- Indian Leopards: Well-distributed throughout the park
- Clouded Leopards: Rare and elusive forest specialist
- Himalayan Black Bears: Montane forest inhabitants
- Sloth Bears: Grassland and forest edge species
Unique Species
- White-winged Wood Duck: Globally endangered Species with stable breeding population
- Dhole (Asian Wild Dogs): Pack-hunting canids in forest habitats
- Gaur (Indian Bison): Large bovine species in forest clearings
Adventure Tourism and Research
- River Rafting: Jia Bhoroli river offers excellent white-water rafting opportunities
- Bird Watching: Over 300 species recorded, including several endemic species
- Angling: Traditional fishing with local communities
- Trekking: Designated trails through diverse habitats
The park serves as an important site for studying montane ecology, climate change impacts on Himalayan foothill ecosystems, and human-wildlife interface management.
4. Orang National Park
Established: 1999
Area: 7,888 hectares (78.88 square kilometres)
Location:Darrang and Sonitpur districts
Often called the “Mini Kaziranga,” Orang National Park protects a representative sample of the Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem in a more compact and accessible format.Orang has witnessed remarkable success in rhinoceros’ conservation, with the population growing from virtually zero in the 1980s to over 100 individuals through successful translocation and protection programs. This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of intensive conservation management and community involvement.
Despite its small size, Orang supports:
- One-horned Rhinoceros: Over 100 individuals
- Royal Bengal Tigers: Small but stable population
- Asian Elephants: Regular visitors from neighbouring forests
- Wild Water Buffalo: Important Breeding population
- Over 300 bird species: Including grassland specialists and wetland birds
The park’s relatively compact size and well-developed infrastructure make it ideal for day visits and educational programs. Multiple viewpointsand watchtowers provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, making it particularly suitable for first-time wildlife enthusiasts and families.
5. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park represents one of India’s most unique wetland ecosystems, characterized by extensive riverine grasslands, tropical moist deciduous forests, and semi-evergreen forests. The park’s location at the confluence of the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers create a dynamic landscape continuously shaped by annual floods and river meandering.
Unique Wetland Ecosystem
The park serves as a natural flood control system for the region, absorbing excess water during monsoons and gradually releasing it during dry periods. This natural flood management reduces downstream flood risks while maintaining critical wetland habitats. The park undergoes dramatic seasonal changes, with vast areas submerged during monsoons and extensive grasslands emerging during the dry season, creating diverse microhabitats throughout the year.
Distinctive Wildlife
- Feral Horses: One of the park’s most unique features and is its population of feral horses, descendants of domestic horses that have adapted to the wetland environment over decades.
Endangered Avifauna
- White-winged Wood Duck: Critical breeding population
- Bengal Florican: Grassland specialist facing habitat pressure
- Greater Adjutant Stork: Large wading bird with declining population
- Spot-billed Pelican: Wetland specialist
6. Raimona National Park
Established: 2021
Area: 42,200 hectares (422 square kilometres)
Location: Kokrajhar district, Western Assam
Raimona National Park, one of Assam’s newest additions, was carved out of the Raimona Reserve Forest to enhance conservation efforts in western Assam. The park’s establishment represents the state’s continued commitment to expanding its protected area network and addressing conservation gaps in unprotected regions.
Strategic Conservation Location
Situated near the Bhutan border, Raimona serves as a crucial wildlife corridor connecting the forests of Bhutan with those of western Assam. This connectivity is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and supporting wide-ranging species like elephants and tigers. The park’s diverse habitats range from riverine grasslands along the Sankosh River to semi-evergreen forest in the hills, creating a varied landscape that supports numerous species with different habitat requirements.
Key Species
- Golden Langur Habitat: The park provides crucial habitat for the endemic golden Langur, helping ensure the long-term survival of this endangered primate.
- Asian Elephants: Important corridors and habitat area
- Royal Bengal Tigers: Expanding Population from neighbouring areas
- Clouded Leopards: Forest specialist in pristine habitat
- Various Hornbill Species: Including the great hornbill and wreathed hornbill
7. Dehing Patkai National Park
Established: 2021
Area: 23,100 hectares (231 square kilometres)
Location: Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts
Dehing Patkai National Park, also known as the “Amazon of the East,” represents one of India’s largest stretches of Lowland rainforest. Carved out of the Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary, this park protects crucial elephant corridors and pristine rainforest ecosystems that extends into neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh.
The park encompasses parts of the larger Dehing Patkai landscape, which represents one of the most biodiverse regions of India. The park’s forest exhibit classic tropical rainforest structure with multiple canopy layers, extensive epiphyte communities, and complex ecological interactions that support exceptional species diversity.
Critical Wildlife Habitat
- Elephant Conservation: The park serves as a major elephant reserve, providing crucial habitat and corridors for one of India’s largest elephant populations. The forests support year-round elephant movements and breeding activities
- Hoolock Gibbons: India’s only ape species, with significant populations
- Capped Langur: Endemic primate species
- Slow Loris: Nocturnal primate facing conservation pressure
- Hornbill Haven: The park supports multiple hornbill species, including the great hornbill, wreathed hornbill, and Oriental pied hornbill, serving as crucial breeding habitat for these iconic forest birds.
The park faces ongoing conservation challenges due to its location in coal and oil-rich areas, making protection efforts crucial for maintaining ecosystems integrity and preventing habitat fragmentation.
Assam’s seven national parks represent far more than protected areas – they are living museums of evolution, libraries of ecological knowledge, and sanctuaries for some of Earth’s most magnificent creatures. These parks standas testament to what dedicated conservation efforts can achieve, transforming landscapes on the brink of ecological collapse into thriving ecosystems that support both wildlife and human communities.
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