Assam - Kaziranga

For all those who have thought Indian one-horned rhinoceros only existed in the Jurassic era, then a trip to Kaziranga is a must. One of the most sought-after wildlife holiday destinations in India, Kaziranga National Park’s 430 square kilometre area sprinkled with elephant-grass meadows, swampy lagoons, and dense forests is home to more than 2200 Indian one-horned rhinoceros, approximately 2/3rd of their total world population. Formed in 1908 on the recommendation of Mary Curzon, the park is located on the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon districts. In the year 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is said when Mary Curzon, the wife of the Viceroy of India – Lord Curzon of Kedleston, visited the park to see an Indian one-horned rhinoceros; she wasn’t able to find even one. Then she persuaded her husband to take urgent measures to protect the dwindling species which he did by initiating planning for their protection. After a series of meetings and documentation, the Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was created with an area of 232 km2 (90 sq mi) in 1905.