Context:

• The Government of Assam has approved the expansion of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve.

Key Points:

Sixth Expansion of Kaziranga National Park: 47,306.33 Hectares of Area to be Added

• Under the sixth expansion of Kaziranga National Park, an area of 47,306.33 hectares will be included in the protected area.
• The objective of this expansion is to strengthen biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable tourism as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10 Villages Excluded from the Expansion Plan:

• Keeping local communities in mind, 10 villages have been excluded from the expansion area in this plan. These are:

1. Baligaon
2. Biswanath Ghat
3. Gakhirkhaiti
4. Gonaitapu
5. Gopal Jarani
6. Hatimura
7. Jobore
8. Silghat
9. Thute Chapori
10. Umatamoni

Importance of the Expansion:

Biodiversity Conservation:

• Kaziranga National Park is world-renowned for having the largest population of one-horned rhinos. The expansion will enhance their safety, habitat area, and food availability, thereby stabilizing their population.

Benefits to Other Wildlife:

• The park is home to tigers, elephants, wild buffaloes, swamp deer, and many other mammal, bird, and reptile species. The expansion will provide a more secure and favorable habitat for all these species.

Relief from Floods and Human Pressure:

• The Kaziranga region faces severe floods every year. The expansion will provide safe corridors and elevated areas for wildlife, allowing them to reach safe havens during floods.

Eco-Tourism and Local Development:

• The expansion of the park will boost eco-tourism, creating new employment opportunities for local people and accelerating regional economic development.

Kaziranga National Park: (General Information)

• Location: In Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam state.
• It is part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
• National Highway 37 passes through it.
• Geographical Location: The park is situated between the Brahmaputra River and the Karbi (Mikir) Hills. The park covers an area of approximately 430 sq km.
• Declared National Park: 1974
• Declared Tiger Reserve: 2007
• Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1985
• Recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
• Kaziranga is home to approximately 2/3rd of the world's Indian one-horned rhinoceroses.

River System:

• Brahmaputra River: Flows along the northern boundary of the park.
• Other Rivers: Diphlu River, Mora Diphlu River, Mora Dhansiri River.

Vegetation:

• It includes 4 main vegetation types: Alluvial inundated grasslands, Alluvial savanna woodlands, Tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and Tropical semi-evergreen forests.
• An Important Bird Area with 57 species of birds, including migratory species.
• Rich biodiversity, including significant populations of Chital, Indian Muntjac, Wild Boar, and Hog Deer.