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Why is Kaziranga National Park in the News
In 2025, Kaziranga National Park has grabbed national and international attention due to several significant developments. The Assam government approved an expansion of the park area by over 47,000 hectares to bolster biodiversity conservation.
Additionally, Kaziranga recorded its third highest global tiger density and welcomed over 4.43 lakh tourists during the 2024-25 season, making it one of India’s most visited parks. However, challenges such as record floods and anti-poaching operations also shape the park’s ongoing story.
“From the mighty one-horned rhino to the elusive Royal Bengal tiger, Kaziranga is a living testament to India’s wildlife conservation success’’.
About Kaziranga National Park
- Kaziranga National Park is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, covering an area of approximately 1,302 sq.km.
- It is recognized globally as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, primarily for hosting the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
- The park also harbors diverse fauna including Royal Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, and eastern swamp deer.
- Its rich mosaic of grasslands, wetlands, and forests supports a wide variety of species, making it a biodiversity hotspot and a key conservation area in Northeast India.
Geographical Features and Biodiversity
- Kaziranga lies in the Brahmaputra floodplain with fertile alluvial soil supporting lush grasslands and dense forested tracts.
- The park is characterized by a mosaic of tall elephant grass, marshland, and dense tropical forests.
- The fluctuating monsoon floods nourish Kaziranga’s habitat but also pose threats to animals and infrastructure.
- It is a critical habitat for the “Big Five” species: Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, and eastern swamp deer.
- Kaziranga is one of the few places where tiger density is extremely high, with about 18.65 tigers per 100 sq. km as per 2024 survey.
- The park features diverse wetlands and numerous rivers and small water bodies essential for the wildlife’s sustenance.
FAQs
Q1. Where is Kaziranga National Park located and why is it important?
Kaziranga National Park is in Assam’s Golaghat and Nagaon districts. It is important for harboring the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros and its rich biodiversity.
Q2. What are the key geographical features of Kaziranga?
Kaziranga lies in the Brahmaputra floodplain with a mix of grasslands, wetlands, and dense forests nourished by monsoon floods and river systems.
Q3. What recent conservation achievements have been recorded at Kaziranga?
The park expanded by over 47,000 hectares in 2025, recorded India’s third-highest tiger density, and witnessed a significant rise in tourist arrivals due to improved eco-tourism facilities.
Q4. How does Kaziranga handle flood challenges?
Despite severe flooding, emergency rescue and rehabilitation operations have helped save hundreds of animals, and infrastructural measures are taken to mitigate impacts.
Q5. What initiatives have been taken against poaching?
Kaziranga deployed three new commando battalions and about 600 forest personnel to deter poaching and protect endangered species like rhinos and tigers.
