National Parks of Assam

Assam lies in the valleys of southernmost Himalayas and Jayantia hills. Having  a warm and  humid climate it is rich in flora and fauna. It has five national parks, two of which are designated World Natural Heritage Sites by UNESCO, and several wildlife and bird sanctuaries. Assam is home to over 180 species of mammals, including rare and endangered species like the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, the royal Bengal tiger, the golden langur and hoolock gibbon, and a spectacular range of avifauna.

Photographed By Koustav

Kaziranaga national park

            Kaziranga National Park is spread over 858 sq.kms and is located in the floodplains on both sides of the Brahmaputra river. Patches of mixed deciduous forests are interspersed with vast stretches of savannah grasslands, wetlands and chars of river islands formed by the shifting course of the Brahmaputra. The park is divided into five ranges - Central (entry point at Kohora), Western (entry point at Bagori), Eastern (at Agratoli), Western-most Burha Pahar (at Ghorakati) and Northern. The first four lie on the southern side of the river while the last is on the northern bank.

 

Manas national park

            Manas was declared as a National Park in 1990. The name ‘Manas’ is derived from the Hindu deity, the snake goddess ‘Manasa’ and is also shared with the Manas river that transverses through the park. Total area of the park is about 500 Km2. The Manas river flows thorough the west of the park and is the main river within it. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife. Manas is recognized not only for its rich biodiversity, but also for its spectacular scenery and natural landscape which includes a range of forested hills, alluvial grasslands and tropical evergreen forests. It is the habitat of tigers, Asian elephants, one-horned rhinos, golden langurs and golden cats, hispid hares, swamp deer, gaur, clouded leopards to be named a few.

 

Orang national park

            Orang National Park is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National park, located in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of the state of Assam. It was declared as a National Park in 1999. Total area of the park is about 78.81 Km2. The National Park has now been renamed and is officially called the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park. The park has a rich flora and fauna, including great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Tiger, varieties of water birds, Green Pigeon, Florican, Teal , Goose, etc. The park is also famous for its migratory birds like milky white pelicans.

 

Nameri national park

            Nameri National Park is a beautiful place, located in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur district of the state of Assam. Total area of the park is about 137 Km2. Nameri wildlife Sanctuary was declared declared as National Park in the year of 1998. The habitat of Nameri is made up of tropical evergreen, Semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests with cane and bamboo brakes and narrow strips of open grassland along rivers. The area is drained by the Jia BharaliThe favorite activities or the major attractions of Nameri National Park includes river rafting, which is a very popular way to enjoy one’s time at the park and catch a glimpse of the unique species of birds found here.

 

Dibru-Saikhowa national park

            Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is a beautiful place, located in the Tinsukia district of the state of Assam. Total area of the park is about 340 Km2. Dibru-Saikhowa wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a National park in the year of 1999. The Park is divided into nine distinct zones one of which is a wetland while dense forests occupy the remaining portions. Dibru-Saikhowa is a safe haven for many extremely rare and endangered species of wild life including over 300 avifauna both endangered and migratory, as well as various species of shrubs, herbs and rare medicinal plants. Some rare and endangered animals of this park are Hoolock gibbon, capped langur, slow loris, water buffalo, tiger, elephant, gangetic river dolphin etc.