The flora in Kaziranga National Park chiefly constitute of three major types: alluvial inundated grasslands comprising of tall

thickets of elephant grass and short grasses, tropical wet evergreen forests and tropical semi-evergreen forests. But, the main characteristics of flora in Kaziranga are the dense and tall elephant grass intermixed by small swamplands left behind by the receding floodwaters of the river Brahmaputra. In addition to grasses and forests, the swamps of Kaziranga National Park have an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinth and lotus, providing a beautiful look to the surroundings of the park. Rattan Cane, which is a type of climbing palm, also adds to the natural beauty of Kaziranga National Park. According to a Landsat data for 1986, the different vegetation coverage in Kaziranga National Park is as follows: Tall thickets of elephant grasses 41%, short grasses 11%, open jungle 29%, rivers and water bodies 8%, sand 6% and swamps 4%.

Mammals: One horned rhinoceros (rhinoceros unicornis), wild buffalo (bubalus bubalis), indian elephant (elephas maximus), royal bengal tiger (panthera tigris), indian wild boar (sus scrofa), eastern mole (talpa micrura), pangolin (manis crassicaudata), indian gaur (bos gaurus), swamp deer (cervus duvauceli), sambar (cervus unicolor), barking deer (muntiacus muntjak), white browed gibbon (hylobates hoolock), hog deer (axis porcinus), capped langur or leaf monkey (presbytis pileatus), rhesus macaque (macaca mulatto), assamese macaque (macaca assamensis), leopard (panthera pardus), sloth bear(melursus ursinus), indian porcupine (hystrix indica), fishing cat (felis viverrina), jungle cat (felis chaus), large indian civet (viverra zibetha), small indian civet (viverricula indica), indian gray mongoose (herpestes edwardsi), small indian mongoose (herpestus auropunctatus), bengal fox (vulpes bengalensis), golden jackal (canis aureus), common otter (lutra lutra), chinese ferret badger (melogale moschata), hog badger(arctonyx collaris), ganges and indus river dolphin (platanista gangetica), orange-bellied himalayan squirrel (dremomys lokriah), asiatic black bear (selenarctos thibetanus)

Kaziranga National Park lies partly in Golaghat District and partly in Nagaon District of Assam. It is the oldest park in assam covers an area of 430 Sq kms along the river Brahmaputra on the North and the Karbi Anglong hills on the South. The National Highway 37 passes through the park area and tea estates, hemmed by table-top tea bushes. One can even see the rhinos and wild elephants straying near the highway. Kaziranga National Park a world heritage site is famous for the Great Indian one horned rhinoceros, the landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes & shallow pools. It has been declared as National Park in 1974. Kaziranga National Park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. 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. The park is open from November to April. Tourists can take rides on elephants to move around the park or cruise in a boat on the Brahmaputra along the park.

The Great one horned rhino is commonly found in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam, India. It is confined to the tall grasslands and forests in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Indian Rhinoceros can run at speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h) for short periods of time and is also an excellent swimmer. It has excellent senses of hearing and smell, but relatively poor eyesight. However, no more than 2,000 remain in the wild, with only two populations containing more than 100 rhinos: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India (1,200) and Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal (600). Despite joint efforts between Bhutan and India, the survival of a small population of rhinos living along the Indo-Bhutan border in Manas still remains doubtful (Jnawali et.at, 2000) Physical Appearance: Indian Rhinos are brownish-gray in color and are hairless. They have knobby skin that appears to be armorplated. A single horn sits on top of their snout, and their upper lip is semi-prehensile. The largest of the Asian rhinos, male Indian rhinos weigh approximately 2,200 kg (nearly 1,000 pounds) and range in height from 170 to 186 cm (67 to 73 inches) and are 368 to 380 cm (145 to 150 inches) long. Their horn can grow to 45 cm (18 inches)! Females* are smaller, weighing only 1,600 kg (726 pounds) and standing 148 to 173 cm (58 to 68 inches) tall. Female Indian rhinos are 310 to 340 cm (122 to 134 inches) long. A female is pregnant for 16 before giving birth. *Note: black, Sumatran, and Javan rhino females are similar in size to the male of the species.

The hoolock gibbons , also known as hoolocks, one of the most important attraction of north east india's wildlife, hoolock gibbons are two primate species from the family of the gibbons . Hoolocks are the second largest of the gibbons, after the Siamang. Normally they reach a size of 60 to 90 cm and weigh 6 to 9 kg. Both male and female gibbons are about the same size, but they differ considerably in colors. Males are black colored with remarkable white brows, while females have a grey-brown fur, which is darker at the chest and neck. White rings around the eyes and around the mouth give their face a mask-like appearance. The range of the hoolocks is the most northwestern of all the gibbons, extending from Assam in North-East India, to Myanmar. Small populations (in each case few hundred animals) live also in the eastern Bangladesh and in southwest China. Like the other gibbons, they are diurnal and arboreal, brachiating through the trees with their long arms. They live together in monogamous pairs, which stake out a territory. Their calls serve to locate family members and ward off other gibbons from their territory. Their diet consists mainly ofWild Buffalo, one of the endangered species and a favorite prey for tigers is thought to survive in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan and Thailand. In India, the wild buffaloes are found in Assam and Chhattisgarh. Occasional sightings of the animal - called the Asiatic Water Buffaloes - have also been reported from Meghalaya and Maharashtra. In India it is mostly found in Kaziranga National Park , as per the last count in 430 sqkm Kaziranga put the number of wild buffaloes at around 1400. Wild buffaloes are also important to the grassland ecosystem as they help in plant rejuvenation. Crossbreeding with domestic buffalo as well as shrinkage and destruction of the habitat were considered major threats to the wild buffalo's survival in the range. The animal is protected by the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. fruits, insects and leaves.

Introduction Keoladeo Ghana National Park, popularly known as Bharatpur is India's best known bird sanctuary. This 28.7 square kilometre mixed wetland, woodland, grass and scrub is home to 400 plus

species of birds. Only 175 kms from New Delhi, Bharatpur is on the Agra - Jaipur road and a pleasant 3 hour drive from the capital. Keoladeo is both a Ramsar and World Heritage site. If you are new to birding or you are visiting India for birding, Bharatpur should certainly be at the heart of your plans. With its paved walkways, trained cycle-rickshaw pulling guides, cycling-tracks and, best of all, an abundance of easy to approach birds ~ Bharatpur is geared for birding like few places in the world. A day's birding can throw up 150 + species and I had 152 species on a very crowded day in January 2004. Keoladeo has been famous for the wintering western race of the Siberian Crane. Unfortunately, the last pair visited the park in 2002-3 and it is likely that this species is now extinct in India.

Siberian Cranes - Ron Saldino But, the sanctuary is not only about Siberian Cranes. Any 1st time visitor is bound to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of waterfowl and waders which congregate on the shallow marshy lakes of Bharatpur. Winter (Nov - Mar) is the best time to visit the sanctuary when Palearctic migrants join the residents. An average day can still throw up many rare and threatened species like the Sociable Lapwing, Indian Courser, Imperial, White-tailed, Greater and Indian Spotted Eagles, Darters, Black-necked, Painted and Asian Openbill Storks, Common, Sarus and Demoiselle Cranes, Dalmatian Pelicans, Black Bittern, Greater Painted Snipe, Large-tailed, Indian and Grey Nightjars, Dusky Eagle Owls, Marshall's Iora, Siberian Rubythroat and Brook's Leaf Warblers. The 20 species of ducks, innumerable waders and raptors, water-seeking birds and approachable passerines all add to make Keoladeo a true birder's paradise.

Situated at the confluence of the Gambhir and Banganga rivers in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, the sanctuary was originally a natural depression prone to seasonal flooding. Over a period of time it developed into a lush, thriving system of freshwater marshes that attracted a large and diverse population of migratory birds. The Maharajas of Bharatpur added some bunds (dykes) and developed it as a duck shooting reserve. You can see the list of their exploits inside the park.

Getting around: A short straight road from the main gate takes you past the barrier, from where the core area begins, to the centre of the park. Apart from the conventional method of exploring the park on foot, we can also arrange a bicycle though the most preferred mode is a cycle rickshaw tour. Our handpicked rickshaw guides double up as excellent naturalists. Since they have been going to the park almost every day for years, they are ones who have the most recent update about good breeding areas and where to find what. In the event of a good monsoon, you also have the option of taking a leisurely boat ride. (subject to the water level in the park) Boating gives you close access to nesting sites and is extremely rewarding for photography. Each gives a unique dimension to the Keoladeo experience. To explore the birdlife at

nearby Ajan Bund reservoir and Bund Baretha, we can also arrange a taxi. Keoladeo Ghana National Park or Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is one of the best bird preserves in the world. The park was created by the erstwhile Maharaja - Suraj Mal, in the 18th century. The sanctuary was created so as to supply a regular stock of waterfowls to the royal kitchen. The park was accorded the status of a sanctuary in the year 1956 and in 1982 declared as a national park. The sanctuary supports a large number of water birds, including many rare species. Its rich avian population makes it one of the most visited sanctuaries in Indian sub continent and beyond. Every year thousands of migratory birds come fetching here. The sanctuary is one of the few World Heritage Sites in the sub continent. Request Quote For a Tour Keoladeo National Park - Features Close to the Uttar Pradesh border and in the state of Rajasthan are located many swamps and grasslands of Bharatpur National Park. The region, that forms a part of the Kadam forests is spread over a good 29 sq kms of land area and encompasses shallow lakes, marshes and grasslands. This favorite duck shooting resort was created on low lying swamps created by the Gambhir and Banganga rivers. The artificial reservoir constructed by the Maharaja maintained a regular water supply and till date have been providing best breeding place for the birds. Attractions Bharatpur provides a breeding place to some fascinating species of birds. Birds like painted stork with their incredible tint make up the charm of the place. Some popular species include Cranes, Egrets, Pelicans, Ibises, Ducks and Geese. The Siberian Crane is the celebrity at the park. These birds migrate in the winter months and are considered as the prized attractions at Bharatpur. The migratory birds travel a great distance to reach this place. These birds come all the way from various continents and places like Europe, Siberia and China. Named after a Shiv temple situated in this natural park, this World heritage site is known for it's migratory bird population the world over. The low lying marshes is home for many birds all the year around, but it is special in the winter months when it is made a home by over 100 species of birds from as far as Siberia, Central Asia and China. Over 350 species of birds have been reported in Bharatpur and the residents vary between different months of the year. In Summer terrestrial birds like red wattled lapwing, grey partridge, black partridge, common quail, bush quail, pea fowl, jungle fowl, etc., nest on the ground along with the resident bird like the Sarus cranes. The best time for bird watching is early morning when the birds are feeding their young ones or around sunset when the birds return from their trips to the surrounding fields etc. The park is open from 6am to 6pm. Vehicles are allowed only till Shanti Kutir in the park, after which only cycles and cycle rickshaws are allowed or one can go on foot. The best way to see the park is either on bicycle or rickshaw, opt for the bicycle if you are an avid birder or are planning to take along a guide. TIP Hire a rickshaw from outside the park or better still tell your hotel manager to arrange for one who picks you up from the hotel in the morning. Insist on a registered rickshaw puller, as they also serve as trained bird watching guides and will help you identify the various birds with their english names.TIP Carry a good binocular and you can hire one at the entrance. To help you identify the birds and make the whole thing more

enjoyable a bird book like the one by the great ornithologist Salim Ali will be very useful. TIP Don't waste too much too much time before Shanti Kutir searching for birds as you will find most of them beyond that.