Ahead of the World Rhinoceros Day, on September 22, book a ticket to Assam and visit the Kaziranga National Park, the UNESCO World Heritage site is the best place to spot these famed elusive species who are residents of this National Park.
Did you know that there are only about 4,000 Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the wild? And that a majority close to 2,600 are in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam? What this means is that this is the park that is your best bet to see this elusive animal in India.
Thriving topography
My first visit to the park, however, happened to be on a heavily overcast day with a steady drizzle that almost meant I was not going to be on the safari. However, the rain gods decided to be kind and soon I hopped on to the safari Jeep on my maiden safari in India’s north-east region. The Park itself is stunning with grasslands, wetlands, and forests that has made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Established in 1905, the Park occupies 430 sq. km on the banks of the Brahmaputra River making it an important habitat for the rhinos.
The meaning of Kaziranga incidentally is ‘where the mountain goat has water’ in the local Karbi tribe. The semi evergreen and deciduous forest here is peppered with swamps and tall grass that adds to its overall allure. This also means that the park has varied flora and fauna and the big five here include the rhino, tiger, elephant, Asiatic wild buffalo, and the Eastern Swamp deer.
Sightings and more
The best way to look for the rhino is to book a Jeep safari that usually lasts for about three hours. The Park also offers elephant safaris that are for an hour and need advance booking. The one-horned rhino is of course the biggest draw here. On cloudy days, the challenge of seeing them can be compounded as well.
It was over an hour into my safari that I finally spotted a couple of them as they emerged from a water body. It is interesting to note that the greater one horned rhino is the largest species of rhinos and is endemic to India, parts of Nepal and Pakistan. The rhino numbers have plummeted in the past as they have been victims of poaching in the past. Hence there has been a concerted effort to conserve the species with anti-poaching and monitoring cells in place within their wildlife corridors. This rhino is a distinct animal with its single black horn and greyish brown textured body that has skin folds. The adult male rhinos are usually solitary and they have defined home ranges that are not actually territorial. The animals graze on grass and feed on leaves, shrubs, aquatic plants, and fruits. If you are lucky, you can spot them in smaller herds. Look out for the watch towers from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the park.
Bird song
As the safari Jeep navigates the path, keep an eye out for the other species here. Being classified as an ‘Important Bird Area by Birdlife International’, the Park is rich in avian life as well. Birds like the great Indian hornbill, the white-winged wood duck, the elusive Bengal florican, Greater Adjutant Stork, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Indian roller, Asian barred owlet, and Black-necked Stork among others. In fact, there have been over 450 species recorded here. You can also opt for guided bird-watching tours which will help you spot several rare species. There are several birding spots like marshes, woodland areas, water bodies and oxbow lakes that provide an excellent habitat for birds. In all, a visit to Kaziranga National Park is a great way to celebrate the diversity of wildlife and is a great way to understand the elusive greater one horned rhinoceros.
Fact file
· Best time to visit: The park is open to visitors from November to April every year.
· Reach: The nearest airport is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, about 220 km away. The nearest rail head is at the Furkating Junction, which is about 75 km away. They are well-connected to major cities in Assam.
· Accommodation: there are several resorts, homestays, eco-lodges, and camping options. Make sure to make an advance reservation.
Handy tips
· Warm clothes are required in winter.
· Keep an insect repellent and sunscreen lotion handy.
· Do not carry plastic bottles inside the park.
· Wearing forest coloured clothing – green, brown is recommended.
· Follow the rules of the park to have a great safari.
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