Facts about Kaziranga National Park

About Kaziranga National Park:

• Location: It is situated in the north-eastern part of the country in the districts of Golaghat and Nagoan in the state of Assam. 
• It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
• It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers, and bears, and thousands of birds.
• It was declared a National Park in 1974.
• It is the first national park in Assam and is spread over an area of 400 sq. km. 
• The river Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park area (core/critical tiger habitat), while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern boundary.
• In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Siteby UNESCO.
• Landscape: It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools.
• Flora:
  • It is primarily famous for its dense and tall elephant grasses intermixed with small swamplands.
  • It also includes an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinths, and lotus.
  • Rattan Cane, a type of climbing palm, is also found here.
• Fauna: Many endangered and threatened species like Rhino, Tiger, Eastern swamp deer, Elephant, Buffalo, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, and Gangetic River dolphin are commonly found in the habitat.

Q1: What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

A World Heritage Site (WHS) is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the UNESCO under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, established in 1972. These sites are designated by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, scientific or other forms of significance.

Source: Assam floods: 114 animals die in Kaziranga National Park, 95 rescued