Kaziranga
National Park in Assam
has to be the most beautiful and attractive
place you can choose to visit. A World Heritage
Site, Kaziranga's 430 sq kms of lush green
flood plains are home to some of the most
fascinating wildlife in Asia.
I
spent a couple of days in this natural wonderland
on the banks of the fast flowing Brahmaputra
river. The weather held out despite the
dark clouds and the birds obliged. All three
sectors, Central, Eastern and Western were
covered. Birding was most fruitful in the
Eastern section. March is the beginning
of the rainy season in the North-East and
the grass is burnt in Kaziranga in late
February. The normally green landscape is
strewn with gold and watching wildlife is
a treat if you arrive before the rains.
In a landscape dominated by noisy Red-Breasted
Parakeets, what strikes you about Kaziranga
is the large size of the birds and beasts.
Kaziranga is all about Indian Elephants,
One-Horned Rhinoceros, Wild Buffaloes, Tigers,
Adjutants, Floricans, Fish Eagles, Pelicans,
Hornbills & Storks. The rarity and restricted
range of most of these giants makes a visit
even more thrilling and exciting.
I
divided my stay between Wild Grass Resort
and Behora Tea Garden ( 35 kms from Kohora).
Try and find a way to stay at a tea garden
while you are in Assam.
It is an old world experience, the pleasure
of which was doubled for me due to the incomparable
hospitality extended by the Dowerahs.
This
aim of this section is specifically to cover
the birds of this region through images.
I have also added a gallery of animal pictures
to present a visual snapshot of the bio-diversity
of the Park.
Inside the National
Park: Elephant rides
are available between 5.00am and 6.00am
from Kohora. One ride is recommended to
get a feel of the place and, if lucky, to
get up close to the Bengal Florican, an
endangered rarity.
Various
4 Wheel Drive vehicles are available to
tour the 3 ranges. The Eastern Range at
Agaratoli is about 30 kms away from Kohora.
Factor in the travel time plus the fact
that this is the longest trip inside the
forest before you set off. The Western range
at Baghori is the shortest run but great
for rhinos and buffaloes. |
