Ever thought there would come a day when you could explore one of the world’s most important game parks for saving the endangered Indian one-horned rhino? For wildlife conservators and nature loving devotees this is a dream come true.
With the growing enthusiasm for river cruises in India, you can now combine two thrilling holiday experiences in the Assam valley. Two vital components of this holiday plan are that you get to visit the beautiful Kaziranga National Park and approach it sailing down the legendary Brahmaputra River. Both these gifts of Assam’s natural heritage provide the perfect impetus to create beautiful memories of Northeast India.
Kaziranga National Park, for the uninitiated, is significant for its amazing turnaround for a rapidly declining world population of the Greater Indian One-horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) at the end of the 19th century.
The Indian rhino is categorized as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List. Uncontrolled trophy hunting and poaching were the culprits behind this state of affairs. Did you know the rhino’s horn was prized for its aphrodisiac properties, a rather crude version of Viagra, by Asian men? This, despite the fact that there was no scientific proof to support this belief.
With a sweeping expanse of 430sq km, spread across Assam’s Nagaon and Sonitpur districts, Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cocooned between the Karbi/Mihir Hills and the floodplains of mighty Brahmaputra River its topography has been idyllic for supporting this ponderous beast, who is slow to anger, but becomes a terrifying juggernaut once roused, running at speeds of up to 55 km/h. An adult Greater Indian one-horned rhino can weigh up to 2,800 kg and live for 45-50 years. Their vision may be poor but their olfactory senses are hyper-sensitive. Don’t mess with them!
Rhinos are only found in Asia and Africa. What stands out is their unicorn-like horn, massive girth and armour-plated like hide. Did you know that the Indian one-horned rhino, along with the African White rhino, is the largest of rhino species?
While on safari South Africa, from the safety of your jeep, you might have stalked the African White rhino (Ceratotherium simum) and the African Black rhino (Diceros bicornis). But, were you aware there’s a difference between the Indian and African species? African Black rhinos have two horns, on the other hand, the greater one-horned rhino has only one horn. Black rhinos attack with their horn, the one-horned rhinos use their massive long lower incisor teeth to wound their foes. Horns are also used to forage for food, mark their territory and communicate with others of their kin.
The conservation programme set in motion at Kaziranga for the Greater Indian one-horned, one the world’s oldest mammals, is now stuff of wildlife legend. The Kaziranga Model of Conservation has gained global acclaim for integrating biodiversity conservation, anti-poaching strategies, and reforestation programs— ensuring the long-term survival of rhinos. Seventy percent of the Indian rhino population is concentrated in Kaziranga National Park.
Indian Rhino Vision 2020, launched in 2005, had its sights on an ambitious goal to achieve a population of at least 3000 greater one-horned rhinoceros across seven protected areas in Assam by the year 2020.
The conservation practices by the park authorities along with support from the local communities has been pivotal in bringing the rhino population back from the brink. Rhino population growth in Assam, from the 600 rhinos in the 1960s, has vaulted to 4,000 rhinos in 2024. Kaziranga National Park had a record 2,613 rhinos in the 2022 census.
Stalking this prehistoric beast through these floodplain grasslands, swamplands, and riverine forests is an adventure best done on elephant back. For one, the majestic walk of the elephant through the savannah allows one to enjoy the beauty of the stunning environs, and secondly, if you are slow travel addict, there are many charming aspects of the game park, which one could miss racing through it on a jeep safari.
The rich forests and grasslands are home to many other enticing denizens of the wild, such as tigers, elephants, wild buffalo, capped langurs, Hoolock Gibbons, wild boar and several variants of the deer family.
Kaziranga is also renowned for saving the vulnerable barasingha or swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli). The iconic 12-antlered deer was a highly prized hunting trophy amongst Indian royalty as well as in the Raj days, resulting in an alarming decline in numbers in the country.
Kaziranga has a wealth of avifaunal species as well, making it a huge draw for the international birding community. The park has been identified as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International, Rhinos play a crucial role in maintaining our natural ecosystems. Herbivores by nature their grazing and wallowing in muddy waters helps create support spaces along the food chain for other wildlife.
The success story of Kaziranga serves as an excellent role model for India’s wildlife habitats and the support offered by local communities and eco-conscious tourists, to game parks across the country. Kaziranga continues to stand as a mighty icon of India's leadership in wildlife conservation and coexistence with nature.