Context
Kaziranga National Park (KNP), located in Assam, is one of India’s most celebrated wildlife reserves—renowned for conserving the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros and recognized globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It remains central to debates on wildlife protection, flood management, and human-animal conflict in the Brahmaputra floodplains.
Location and Geography
- Situated in: Golaghat, Nagaon, Sonitpur, and Biswanath districts of Assam
- Coordinates: Lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River
- Total Area: ~1,055 sq km (expanded through additions in 2020s)
- Landscape: Floodplain ecosystem with grasslands, swamps, and forests periodically inundated by Brahmaputra floods
- Rivers: Diphlu, Mora Diphlu, Mora Dhansiri, and Brahmaputra
- Ecosystem Type: Terai-Bhabar and alluvial floodplain ecosystem
Historical Background
- 1905: Declared a Reserve Forest after Mary Curzon (wife of Lord Curzon) raised concern over declining rhino numbers.
- 1916: Upgraded to Kaziranga Game Sanctuary.
- 1950: Renamed Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary.
- 1974: Declared a National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- 1985: Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 2007: Declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger.
Flora and Fauna
- Flagship Species: Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) — approx. 2,900 individuals (2022 census).
- Other Megafauna:
- Asian Elephant
- Royal Bengal Tiger (density among the highest in India)
- Wild Water Buffalo
- Swamp Deer (Barasingha)
- Avifauna: Over 480 species, including migratory birds like pelicans, storks, and eagles.
- Flora:
- Predominantly tall elephant grass and reeds
- Semi-evergreen forests on higher ground
- Extensive wetlands and beels (ox-bow lakes)
Conservation Significance
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985) for natural criteria (ix) and (x): ecological processes and biodiversity.
- Important Bird Area (IBA): Recognized by BirdLife International.
- Ramsar Site: Declared in 2020 for its wetland importance.
- Tiger Reserve: Core + Buffer area under National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Ecological Issues
- Floods: Annual Brahmaputra floods rejuvenate grasslands but cause heavy wildlife mortality.
- Encroachment & Human Pressure: Expansion of human settlements around buffer zones.
- Poaching: Despite strict laws, rhino poaching for horn trade persists.
- Erosion: Brahmaputra riverbank erosion leading to habitat loss.
- Infrastructure Threats: Highways and proposed river dredging threaten wildlife corridors.
Conservation Measures
- Anti-poaching Measures: Modern surveillance (drones, GPS tracking), armed forest guards, coordination with local communities.
- Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ): 1-3 km buffer notified to regulate human activity.
- Kaziranga Landscape Initiative: Integrates park management with adjacent forest divisions and community reserves.
- Translocation Efforts: Rhinos have been relocated to Manas and other parks to diversify populations.
- Community Involvement: Local eco-development committees, alternative livelihood training.
Recent Developments (2023-25)
- Kaziranga Census 2024: Recorded 2,900+ rhinos and 120+ tigers.
- Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Corridor project: Efforts to maintain wildlife connectivity.
- Kaziranga’s Eco-tourism Push: UNESCO-backed “Green Destination” initiative under Assam Tourism.
- Kaziranga Flood Management Plan (MoEFCC, 2023): Integrating natural floodplains instead of embankments for climate resilience.