Located in the Golaghat and Nagaon district of Assam, Kaziranga National Park is one of India’s most magnificent National parks. This is the oldest park in Assam which covers a region of 430 sq Kilometers situated alongside Brahmaputra river on one side and the Karbi Anglong hills on the other. The scenic beauty that Kaziranga National park offers to its viewers unmatched by any other in the world. The National Highway 37 which passes through the Kaziranga Park is blessed with the mesmerizing view of Douglas firs and pine trees as well as the table top tea cultivations. If you are lucky enough, you might even see rhinos and elephants grazing nearby or crossing the highway. Kaziranga national park is inhabited by world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros. It also comprises of mammal, tigers, elephants, panthers, a few beers and many thousands if inland and hibernating birds.
Origin of Kaziranga National Park
The history of the origin of this magnificent national park dates back to 1904 when the wife of Lord Curzon, then Viceroy of India visited Kaziranga. It was known for Rhinoceros population and during her visit; there were no rhinos in sight. This made her think about the exploitation being done in order to expand tea cultivation and grazing. She asked her husband to look into this matter. This incident led to the formation of Kaziranga reserve in 1905. It had 232 sq kilometers if area initially which is expanding to this day. After much opposition against the proposal to extend this national park eastwards, the Kaziranga National park was given an additional land of 151 sq kilometers in 1908 and declared as a reserved forest.
Present day scenario of the Kaziranga National Park
Whilst hunting was strictly prohibited in the Kaziranga National Park premises, the law against the killing of Rhinos kept on hardening by enforcing high penalties and jail. In 1954 the Assam Government passed a Rhinoceros Bill to ensure the welfare of Rhinos. In 1968, The Assam government passed a law stating that Kaziranga is now a National Park.
After being declared as a National Park in 1985 the UNESCO declared it as a world heritage site for its unique natural habitat. It is not a surprise to say that Kaziranga is one of the world’s richest wildlife habitats which is home to thousands of animals and unique species of herbs and shrubs.