Go wild at Kaziranga National Park!
Blog post description.
TRAVEL
### How it Started
The story of keeping Kaziranga safe started way back in the early 1900s. Lady Curzon, whose husband was in charge of India back then, came to see rhinos but couldn't find any because they'd been hunted too much and their homes were gone. She got the ball rolling, and they made the area a protected forest on June 1, 1905. It started small, at 232 square kilometers. Then, in 1908, it became the Kaziranga Reserve Forest, and in 1916, they called it a game sanctuary. In 1968, the Assam government turned it into a national park in 1974. UNESCO said it was special in 1985. 2006, they declared it a Tiger Reserve. So, it has gotten bigger over the years, and they want to add another 429 square kilometers.
### Stuff to See
1. Indian One-Horned Rhinos:
* Kaziranga's where you'll find most of these guys. In 2018, they counted 2,613 rhinos, which is way up from 2015.
2. Tiger Reserve:
* Kaziranga's got a ton of tigers.
3. Other Animals:
* There are loads of elephants here, plus wild buffalo and swamp deer. You might see hog deer, sambar, gaur, and even Hoolock gibbons.
4. Birds:
* BirdLife International says this place is important for birds. Over 500 kinds hang out here! Some come to visit in the winter.
5. Water life:
* You can spot Ganges River dolphins, otters, and all sorts of fish here.
6. Scenery:
* Think tall grass, wetlands, forests, and rivers, all shaped by the yearly floods.
7. Safari Spots:
* You can go on jeep and elephant rides in five areas of Kaziranga. The Kohora area is the best bet for seeing rhinos.
### Local Culture
Kaziranga's obviously a place for animals, but the people who live nearby care about it, too. It's close to tea farms and towns, but they try to keep things balanced so people don't mess with the park too much.
### What it Looks Like
There aren't buildings to look at, it is all made for protecting the animals. There are towers to look out for animals from, and camps for the guards inside. The park's split into sections. The Brahmaputra River is on the north side, and there are hills to the south.
### Planning Your Visit
* Where: Assam, India.
* When to Go: November to April is nice. It's crazy hot in the summer, and it floods like mad during the monsoon (the park's closed from May to mid-October).
* Getting There: Fly to Jorhat or Guwahati, take a train to Furkating, or catch a bus.
* Cost: It's around ₹100 for Indians and ₹650 for foreigners to get in. Safaris cost extra.
* Hours: Safaris run from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, when it is open.
* Tips: Book your safari spots early! Binoculars, hats, and bug spray are a must.
### Keeping it Safe
Kaziranga's been so good at saving rhinos because they're tough on poachers. They've got forest guards, the police, and technology to help. The floods can be a pain, as they move animals across the road. Poaching, invasive plants, and the warming climate are the most. The government and others are trying to fix up habitats and roads.
### Money and People
The park's good for Assam's tourism business. Plus, there are programs to help the local communities.
### In conclusion
Kaziranga National Park is a gem, with its awesome animals, great views, and success.