Wild
life of Assam |
Kaziranga,
land of the famed One
Horned Rhinoceros
Kaziranga
National Park is spread
over an area of 430
sq. kms consisting of
dense forest, rugged
reeds, marshes and shallow
pools. Elephant grass
grows up to a few meters
making it an ideal grazing
ground for the famed
One Horned Rhinoceros.
On
arriving at Kaziranga
we checked into a jungle
resort located in a
serene ambience near
the National park. Next
day early morning we
went on an Elephant
Safari to the central
range of the National
Park. Which is predominantly
grasslands. Elephants
moved in a group through
the grazing ground taking
us closest we could
be to the wild ones.
Wildlife to be seen
in the central range
is Rhinoceros, Herd
of wild Asiatic buffalos
& Elephants, naughty
Languor's and deer's.
Kaziranga
National ParkWe also
took a jeep safari to
the eastern range of
the Park, which is a
thick jungle with water
bodies making it ideal
for watching bird life.
Apart
from the ones we could
locate. Some of the
rare species to be found
in Kaziranga are Indian
Bison, Swamp Deer, Sambar,
Hog Deer, Sloth Bear,
Tiger Leopard, Leopard
Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog
Badger, Capped Langur,
Hoolock Gibbon, Jakel,
Goose, Hornbill, Adjutant
Stork, Ibis, Cormorant,
Egret, Heron, Fishing
Eagle, and a lot more.
A no of migratory Birds
can also be seen during
winters. |
The Ecosystem of The
ParkThe
Landscape:
The land is quite
level all over the
park, which is mostly
covered by dense and
tall elephant grass.
These large stretches
of elephant grass
are intermixed by
small wetlands left
behind by the receding
floodwaters of the
river Brahmaputra.
The park, although
quite flat in nature,
is set against a backdrop
of hills like the
Mikir and Karbi Anglong.
The
Flora:
These picturesque
wetlands have an abundant
cover of water lilies,
water hyacinth and
lotus. The vegetation
that breaks the monotony
of these grasslands
are large clumps of
semi-evergreen forest.
The park is mostly
covered with elephant
size grass, making
it a perfect habitation
for the one-horned
rhinos.
The Fauna:
Indian One-horned
Rhinos (900), tigers
(50), leopards (20),
elephants (700), barasingha
or swamp deer (700),
barking deer (300),
wild boar (700), para
or hog deer (7000),
Bison (22), Sambar
(400), leopard cats,
otters(300), Hoolock
Gibbons, golden Langurs,
Wild Buffaloes (600),
Slow Loris, pygmy
hog, capped langur
and bears (50).
The Birds:
Grey headed
fishing eagle, Pallas'
fishing eagle, Crested
serpent eagle, Swamp
partridge, Red jungle
fowl, Bengal floricab,
Bar headed goose,
Whistling Teal, Pelicans,
Rose breasted Parakeets,
Black necked Storks,
Adjutant Storks, Open
Billed Storks, Egrets,
Herons and White wired
wood ducks are among
the major number of
bird varieties visible
in the parks.
The Reptiles
Rock Pythons and many
more varieties of
snakes, Monitor Lizards
and Turtles are abundant
in the park.
Trip within
the Kaziranga National
Park
It is possible to
tour the park interiors
on the back of one
of two available modes
of transport. The
modes - Elephant and
Jeep.
Elephant Rides
The first
and more preferred mode
is on elephant's back.
Elephant rides allow
you to get up very close
to the wild animals
and make you feel totally
one with nature due
to the lack of any sound
of an engine. These
rides are taken out
thrice in a day from
Mihimukh, which is located
3 km from Kohora. There
are only around 5 elephants
available for touring
purposes and it is definitely
advisable to book your
ride well in advance.
These advance bookings
can be made at the Bonani
Lodge at Kohora.
Jeep Safaris
Jeep
Safaris are aso available
and can be booked at
the various lodges and
through local operators.
Manas
National Park
Manas
National Park in Assam
is situated on the foothills
of the Himalayas and
a part of it continues
across the international
border into Bhutan,
where it is known as
the Royal Manas National
Park. Covering an area
of 391 sq km, the Manas
National Park was declared
a sanctuary on 1st of
October, 1928 and was
designated a World Heritage
site in December 1985.
The
Assam Manas National
Park with its picturesque
beauty and incomparable
wealth of wildlife offers
one of the most enthralling
experiences. The sanctuary
also a world heritage
site is home to a great
variety of wildlife,
including tiger, golden
langur, wild buffalo,
hispid hare, pigmy hog,
capped langur, Indian
one-horned rhinoceros,
elephant, gaur, hog
deer, etc.
Park Speciality
Manas known for its
Project Tigers, Rhinos
& Elephants, and
is Assam's one of the
two Tiger projects.
The Park Ecosystem
The Landscape
The landscape
of the park is mostly
small grasslands located
between the densely
forested foothills with
many rivulets, streams
and natural drains flowing
all over. In the lower
regions, there are many
smooth sandy belts with
clumps of trees growing
in and around them.
In general, Manas National
Park in Assam offers
some of the most pleasing
natural surroundings
in the country.
The Flora
The vegetation
that covers most of
the park is of the mixed
deciduous variety. This
mixed forest is interspersed
by small glades of grass
where deer can be seen
grazing in large numbers.
The Fauna
The animal
population of Manas
is very excitingly diverse.
Some of the more fierce
or potentially aggressive
creatures it shelters
within it's region are
Tigers, Elephants, Rhinos,
Wild Buffaloes, Leopards,
Clouded Leopards and
the rare Black Panthers.
The
park is also a haven
for 22 highly endangered
species of Hispid Hare
and the Pygmy Hog.
Some of the other animals
sighted while exploring
the park are Gaurs,
Swamp Deer, Capped Langurs,
Golden Langurs, Assamese
Macaques, Slow Loris,
Hoolock Gibbons, Smooth
Indian Otters, Sloth
Bears, Barking Deer,
Hog Deer, Sambar and
Chital.
Jeep SafarisThe
Birds
Assam
Manas National Park
is a favourite with
many bird species, both
resident and migratory.
Some of these are Giant
Hornbills, Jungle Fowls,
Bulbuls, Brahminy Ducks,
Khaleej Pheasants, Egrets,
Pelicans, Fishing Eagles,
Serpent Eagles, Falcons,
Scarlet Minivets, Bee-Eaters,
Magpie Robins, Pied
Hornbills, Gray Hornbills,
Mergansers, Harriers,
Ospreys and Herons.
|
Trip within
the Manas National Park
Jeep
Safaris
The ideal
way to view most part
of the park is in a
4-wheel drive petrol
vehicle. This will get
you to each of the parts
without being too noisy.
Boat
Rides
These
boats rides are best
for viewing animals
like the wild buffaloes.
Some of the animals
that comes out on the
banks of the river Manas
can be seen from the
safety and serenity
of a boat which commences
its ride from Mathanguri
and ends around 35km
away, from where one
is picked up by pre-arranged
transport.
Elephant
Rides
The most
favourite of all is
the elephant rides organised
by the park authorities
from Mathanguri. These
take you deep in to
the remote areas of
the forest and often
ride in between some
of the wildlife there,
including elephants,
rhinos and wild buffaloes. |
Orang
National Park
The
Orang National Park
is situated on the north
bank of the river Brahmaputra,
covering an area of
78.81 sq. km. in Assam,
the north eastern state
of India. Also known
as the Mini Kaziranga,
the Orang National Park
in Assam is famous for
its natural scenic beauty
that captivates the
tourists from all over
the world. The Assam
Orang National Park
was established as a
sanctuary in 1985 and
declared a National
Park on 13th of April
1999.
The
fauna found here include
the one-horned rhinoceros,
elephants, leopard,
sambar, barking deer,
tiger, varieties of
water birds, green pigeon,
florican, teal, geese
etc. The park is also
famous for its migratory
birds from places as
far as from America
like the milky white
pelicans. |
The Landscape
The Assam Orang National
Park on the whole
is a flat land and
the terrain is gentle
slope from north to
south. The park area
enjoys typical subtropical
monsoon climate. The
southern and eastern
boundaries of the
park comprise channels,
and islands of the
Brahmaputra. The western
boundary is an artificial
boundary delimited
by a foxhole from
villages. The villages
almost from its all
sides surround the
whole area. Even in
the southern side,
the riverine islands
are now inhabited
by human habitation
and the national park
is under continuous
biotic pressure. The
area consists of alluvial
flood plains of the
Brahmaputra.
|
The Flora
The vegetation of the
park is very rich. The
natural forest species
are like Bombax ceiba,
Dalbergia sisoo, Sterculia
villosa, Trewia nudiflora,
Zizypphus jujuba, Litsaea
polyantha, etc are found
here. Among the non aquatic
grassland species the
prominent are Phragmites
karka, Arundo donax, Imperata
cylindrical, Saccarum
spp. etc. The aquatic
grassplants species are
Andropogon spp., Ipomea
reptans, Enhydra flushians,
Nymphia spp., Wichornia
spp. etc |
The
Fauna
Apart from the greater
Indian one-horned rhinoceros,
which is the dominant
species of the national
park, the other key
species sharing the
habitat, are the Royal
Bengal Tiger, Asiatic
elephant, hog deer,
wild boar. Besides,
there are other small
mammals like civets,
leopards, hare, and
porcupines. There are
more than 50 species
of fish.
The
Birds
Orang National Park
in Assam is the most
important habitat of
the Bengal florican.
The estimated population
is about 30-40. Other
important birds are
Spot-billed Pelican
(Pelicanus philippensis),
Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus
asiaticus), Greater
Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos
dubius), Lesser Adjutant
(Leptoptilos javanicus),
Wooly-necked Stork (Ciconia
episcopus), Rudy Shelduck
(Tadorna ferruginea),
Gadwall (Anas strepera),
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos),
Pintail (Anas acuta),
Pallas's Fishing Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucoryphus)
and a number of others
including forest and
grassland birds. |
Pobitora
Wildlife Sanctuary
Pobitora
Wildlife Sanctuary is
major wildlife stock,
situated in Morigaon
district of Assam, the
northeastern state of
India. Covering an area
of 38.8 Sq. km., the
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
is about 50 km from
Guwahati, situated on
the border of Nagaon
and Kamrup Dist.
Pobitora
is mainly famous for
its great Indian one
horned Rhinoceros. Besides
Rhinoceros the other
animals are Asiatic
Buffalo, Leopard, Wild
bear, civet cat etc.
Assam Pobitora Wildlife
Sanctuary is also home
to more than 2000 migratory
birds and various reptiles. |
Sonai
Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
This
wildlife sanctuary,
220 Sq. Kms. in area,
is situated in Sonitpur
District. Extending
along the Himalayan
foothills it offers
a magnificent view of
both scenery and wildlife.
The sanctuary is home
to Elephants, Indian
Bison, Deer and a variety
of hill birds. |
Bura-Chapori
Wildlife Sanctuary
Another
magnificent wildlife
sanctuary covering an
area of 44.06 sq. kms.
is Bura-Chapori. It
is situated on the north
bank of the river Brahmaputra
in Sonitpur District.It
is considered to be
an ideal habitat for
the Bengal Florican.Various
species of migratory
birds are also seen
here.Other attractions
are the Great Indian
One horned Rhinocerous,
Asiatic Buffalo, Wild
Boar, Otter, Civet Cat,
Leopard Cat, Barking
Deer, etc. Various reptiles
and fish are also found
here.
|
Laokhowa
Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering
an area of 70.13 sq.
kms Laokhowa Wildlife
Sanctuary is situated
in Nagaon Dist. and
is only 25 kms from
Nagaon town. Its main
attraction is the Great
Indian one horned Rhinocerous.
Other animals found
here are Tiger, Elephant,
Leopard, Asiatic Buffalo,
Wild Boar, Civet Cat,
Leopard Cat, Hog Deer
etc. Various species
of birds and reptiles
are also found in Laokhowa. |
Pobha
or Milroy Sanctuary
Covering
an area of 49 sq. kms.,
Pobha Wildlife sanctuary
is situated in Lakhimpur
District. It is a sanctuary
created exclusively
for the protection of
the magnificent Wild
Water Buffalo.
|
Chakrashila
Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering
an area of approximately
45.568 sq. kms, this
sanctuary is located
in the Dhubri District
of Assam and is 68 kms
from Dhubri.
This area was recognised
as a Sanctuary by the
Govt. of Assam on 14th
July'1994. It is surrounded
by hills and there are
two lakes on either
side of the sanctuary.
The world famous Golden
Langur was discovered
here in the year 1986.
Many different mammals,
birds, twenty three
species of reptiles,
more than forty butterfly
species are found in
this area. Hornbills
are also seen here.
|
Bornadi
Wildlife Sanctuary
Wedged
between the Himalayas
and Bhutan, this sanctuary
is situated in the Darrang
District of Assam. It
covers an area of 26.22
sq kms. It was declared
a wildlife sanctuary
in 1980 by the Govt
of Assam especially
for the protection of
the Hispid Hare and
Pigmy Hog. |
Garampani
Wildlife Sanctuary
This
small sanctuary covering
an area of 6.05 sq.
kms was recognised as
a sanctuary by the Govt.
of Assam in 1952. Situated
in Karbi Anglong district,
it is 25 kms from Golaghat
and 65 kms from Kaziranga
National Park. This
area is famous for it's
hot water springs.
Animals found here are
Elephants, Leopards,Tigers,
Deer, Golden Langurs,
Hoolok Gibbons in additon
to a large variety of
birds and reptiles |
Nambor
Wildlife Sanctuary
Nambor
Wildlife Sanctuary covers
an area of 37 sq. kms.
Situated in Karbi Anglong
district, it is 25 kms
from Golaghat and 65
kms from Kaziranga National
Park. Animals commonly
found here are Elephants,
Tigers, found here.
|
East
Karbi Anglong Wildlife
Sanctuary
This
sanctuary covers an
area of 221.81 sq. kms
and is situated in Karbi
Anglong District.Animals
commonly found here
are Elephant, Tiger,
Bison, Bear etc.
Karbi
Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary
This
wildlife Sanctuary covers
an area of 96 sq. kms.
Situated in Karbi Anglong
district. Animals commonly
found here are Elephant,
Tiger, Leopard etc.
Pani
Dihing Bird Sanctuary
Covering
an area of 33.93 sq.
kms, Pani Dihing was
declared a sanctuary
in December '1996 by
the Govt. of Assam.
It is situated in Sibsagar
district. Pani Dihing
is famous for migratory
birds. Adjutant Storks,
Fishing Eagle etc. are
commonly found here.
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