Kaziranga National Park

Conservation history

Year                 Particulars

1905                Kaziranga notified as a Reserve Forest

1908                Kaziranga declared as a Reserved Forest

1916                Area declared as a Game Sanctuary

1950                Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary declared

1974                Kaziranga National Park notified 430 sq.km

1985                Kaziranga declared as a World Natural Heritage site

1985- 1999      Six additions to Kaziranga National Park notified

1st addition (Burapahar) 43.7 sq km

2nd addition (Sildubi) 6.47 sq km

3rd addition (Panbari RF) 0.69 sq km

4th addition (Kanchanjuri) 0.89 sq km

5th addition (Haldibari) 1.15 sq km

6th addition (Panpur RF and stretch of Brahmaputra river on the north  

 376.50 sq km, KukurakataRF 015.93 Sq. Km, .PanbariRF 007.65 Sq. Km.

TOTAL 882.00 Sq. Km.

2005                Centenary year of successful biodiversity conservation of the Kaziranga National Park

2006                Declared Tiger Reserve under Kaziranga Tiger Project

 

Conservation Values of Kaziranga National Park

Some of the significant conservation values of Kaziranga National Park are enumerated below: -

• The largest undisturbed and representative area of Brahmaputra Valley flood plain grassland and forest with associated large herbivores, avifauna and wetland values (including Turtles, Dolphins etc.).

• The world ‘s largest population of

- Indian one horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) [2048 in (2009)]

- Asiatic Wild Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) [1431 in (2001)]

- Eastern race of Swamp Deer (Cervus duvauceli ranjitsinghi) [468 in (2000)]

• High Ecological Density of Tigers (Panthera tigris) [86 (2000)]

Aaranyak in a phototrapping study of tigers in Kaziranga in 2008 scored 32.64±7.79 tigers/100 sq.km which is the highest for any tiger habitat

• Significant population of Asiatic Elephant (Elephas maximus) [1048 (2002)]

• The junction of the East Asia /Australia flyway and Indo-Asian flyway exhibits considerable diversity in avifaunal species (480 species recorded).

• Transitional and successional example of grassland to forest and floodplain to hill evergreen forest communities.

• Considerable Research, Education and Recreation values.

Presence of BIG FIVE charismatic species like Rhinoceros, Tiger, Elephant, Swamp Deer and Wild buffalo in the site make KNP is unique for wildlife conservation with worldwide appeal.

 

Geographical Information

The area is divided into four Ranges, three of which  lie within the former boundaries of the park, namely,  the Western Range (Baguri), the Central Range  (Kohora), and the Eastern Range (Agaratoli).The fourth  Range, Gorakati, which has recently been added to the  park, is situated in the westernmost portion of the area.

Latitude    : 26°33’ N – 26°45’N

Longitude : 93°9’E – 93°36’E

Area 430 sq km

Civil Districts Golaghat, Nagaon and Sonitpur

Climate:

The area enjoys a typical ‘subtropical monsoon’ climate with hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters. Winter rains are also not uncommon. The annual rainfall varies between 1500 and 2500 mm, most of which falls between May and August. The temperature varies from 5°C (average minimum) to 35°C (average maximum).  The relative humidity is high, seldom falling below 60% and may go up to 90% or more.
 

Habitat

The habitat of Kaziranga is such that waterbodies and grasslands form a significant part of the park’s area.

The land area under KNP can be grouped under following categories:

Wood Land      --         27.95 %

Short Grass      --         03.01 %

Tall Grass         --         61.01 %

Beels                --         05.96 %

Sand                --         00.40 %

Other Wetland --          01.67 %

The vegetation of the park may be broadly divided  into four categories:

(1) Eastern wet alluvial grasslands;

(2) Eastern Dillenia swamp forest;

(3) Riparian fringing forest; and

(4) Assam alluvial plains semi-evergreen forest 
 

Representative fauna of Kaziranga National Park :

• MAMMALS :39 species including some of the most endangered & rare species of Schedule I
• BIRDS : 478 species including 25 globally threatened and 21 near threatened species
• REPTILES : A total of about 42 species of reptiles have been reported from the Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. These include the endangered Gharial and the rare Assam Roofed Turtle
• FISHES : 40 different species recorded
  
  Current Threats/Conservation Problems
   1. Poaching
   2. High flood
   3. Erosion
   4. Sedimentation and weeds
   5. Illegal fishing
   6. Heavy traffic
   7. Live stock grazing 
   8. Breach in embankments