KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

national park in Sibsagar district, Assam state, northeastern India, situated on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River, 60 mi (97 km) west of Jorhat on the main road to Gauhati. Established in 1908 as a game reserve, it became a national park in 1974. It has an area of 165 sq mi (430 sq km) and lies between the Brahmaputra River and the Mikir Hills. Much of the park is marshland interspersed with large pools fringed with reeds, patches of elephant grass, scattered trees, and thickets. Wildlife includes, in particular, the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, elephant, wild pig, hog deer, swamp deer, buffalo, and pelican, stork, and other waterfowl. Guest houses perched above the main road at Kohra near the southern boundary give a panoramic view of the Himalayas on the rare occasions when the sky is clear. There are several low watchtowers, and elephant rides are available for viewing wildlife in the swampland.