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Kaziranga National Park (430 sq. kilometers)
Kaziranga park is the oldest national park in Assam. This park is
known for the great one horned rhinoceros . But among the tall elephant
grass and rugged reeds, marshes & shallow pools are hidden many
other animals. These animals are very much part of the complex ecological
balance of the park. Elephants, Indian bison, Swamp Deer, Sambar,
Hog Deer, sloth Bear, Tiger, Leopard. Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Hog
Badger, Capped Langur, Hoolock Gibbon, Jackal, Goose, Hornbill,
Ibis, Cormorants, Egret, Heron Fishing Eagle and many more. All
these are joined by a number of migratory birds during winters.
The scenic national park supports all of them with grace and style.
Kaziranga was declared a national park in 1974. This park is partly
in Golaghat district and partly in Nagaon district. It is 217 kms
from Guwahati and 96 kms from Jorhat and 87 km from Tezpur by road.
One can fly to the Rowaria airport in Jorhat and from there take
a taxi to the park. The nearest rail head is that of Furkating.
The tourism department of Assam organises a conducted tour on every
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Reservations for
these tours can be made at the Tourism office in Guwahati. Due to
the presence of elephant grass Kaziranga national park is best seen
from the elephant back.
The best season to visit Kaziranga is between November to April.
This is the period when park is full of greenery, monsoon has just
ended and animals wake up from slumber. Being moderately cold animals
are mainly basking and lazing in the sun, thus they are easily spotted.
One needs to carry woolens in winters and light cotton cloths in
summers. There are good accommodation facilities in and around the
park
. Assam Tourist Lodge and Wild Grass Resort (Pvt.) at Kaziranga
Park provide excellent accomodation. There are other private lodges
and hotels near the park. Also, inspection bungalows of the forest
department can be hired for staying near the park.
Manas National Park
While Kaziranga is known for the Rhinoceros, Manas National Park
is famous for the Majestic Tigers. This park is the only Project
Tiger in Assam. The sub-Himalayan hills forms the back drop of this
park. The scenic beauty and rare wealth of wild life combine with
this unique world heritage site to offer one of the most enthralling
experiences. The core area of Manas Park is 360 kms. Hispid Hare,
Pigmy Hog and Golden Langur are some of the rare species of animals
to be found in the park apart from the Tiger. Elephants, Rhinoceros,
Wild Buffalo, Wild Boar, Sambar, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer are some of
the animals which are easily spotted at this park. Come winter and
Manas is full of Migratory birds like the Riverchats, Forktails,
Cormorants and ducks like the Ruddy Shelduck. There are regular
woodland birds like the Indian Hornbill and Pied Hornbill.
Manas Park is 176 kms from Guwahati. The nearest airport is Borjhar,
Guwahati. The nearest rail head is Barpeta road. As for the accommodation
tourism department has two tourist lodges. One at Barpeta Road and
other at the Bansbari. The state forest department also has two
bungalows at Mathanguri, which is inside the forest. Mark that there
are no catering facilities hence tourists have to carry their foodstuff
from Barpeta Road. These can be got cooked by chefs at the lodges.
Orang Wild life Sanctuary
Popularly known as mini Kaziranga, Orang national park covers 72
sq kms only and is located towards the north bank of Brahamaputra.
This park is 150 kms from Guwahati and 32 kms from Tezpur. The nearest
railhead is Saloni & Rangapara is the closest railhead. The park
has only a small rest house so it is better to stay at Tezpur and
visit this park. Pabha or Milroy Sanctuary :- Located in Lakhimpur
Dist., Pabha Sanctuary spreads in an area of 49 sq. kms.
This Sanctuary was created to protect the wild water buffalo. Details
can be obtained from the Chief Conservator of forest, Wildlife,
Zoo- Narengi Road, Guwahati- Assam. Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary
:- Slightly larger than the Pabha Sanctuary, Sonai Rupai Wildlife
Sanctuary covers an area of 175 sq. kms. It is located along the
foothills of Himalayas in Sonitpur District. This park combines
scenic beauty with the exotic wildlife. It is the home for Elephant,
Indian Bison and many other species of birds & animals.
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
It is situated in the Nagaon Dist. This park has a small area of
60 sq. kms. Laokhowa wildlife Sanctuary is just 15 kms from Nagoan
town so the park can be visited while staying at Nagaon. This park
is famous for one horned Rhinos, wild buffalo, Swamp deer and many
varieties of birds.
Dibru-Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Famous for wild horses.This sanctuary is a safe haven for extremely
rare white winged wood duck and many migratory birds. Speciality
of Dibru Saikhowa is it's wild horses, called Feral Horses. Margherita-
14 kms east of Digboi, this is the centre of Tea Gardens, Plywood
factories and coal mines. Namdapha National Park- 100 km east of
Digboi in Arunachal Pradesh beyond Margherita is a true wilderness--not
widely known and is a vast stretch of enchanting beauty of lush
green vegetation.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries and Forest Reserves
Pobitora wildlife sanctuary(Guwahati), Nagaon Dist. Namber Wildlife
sanctuary, Golaghat Dist. Barnadi Game Reserve, North Kamrup Dibru-Saikhowa
Wildlife Sanctuary, Tinsukia Dist. Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary, Sibsagar
Dist.
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