1972, 658
1908, January: An area of 22,617 hectares (226.17 kmy) was declared as Kaziranga Reserved Forest.
Map
Poached in 1966, 5 (2/3)
Threats: 1. Poaching for rhino horn. 2. Lack of protective buffer zone around the park, lading to human/wildlife conflict. 3. Erosion by Brahmaputra river, has already destroyed a portion of the park. 4. National highway No. 37 runs through the southern boundary. 5. Proposed construction of a railway along the southern boundary. The original proposal was modified to include provision for thre 30m wide passes under the line to allow animals to continue their seasonal migrations.
Much of the park floods annually and rhinos seek refuge on the National Highway and at the foot of the Karbi Plateau to the south. The Forest Dept has built a number of earthen platforms inside the park, each 180m long, 9m wide, 3m high.
1978, 939
1984, 1080
366
Poached in 1983, 45-50
Poached in 1984, 20-25, first half of year only
Poached in 1969, 8 (1/0 adult, 2/5 young)
1916, November, declared as a Game Sanctuary.
Poached in 1981, 25
Poached in 1970, 2 (2/0)
Poached in 1968, 10 (7/3)
1950, declared a Wildlife Sanctuary
1974, declared a National Park under the relevant provision in the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.
The largest vegetation zone in Kaziranga is grassland, covering about 66% of the area, with 28% being moist deciduous and tropical semi-evergreen forests. Wetlands cover the remaining 6% of the park.
1. The proposal for the railway should be shelved. 2. The adjoining reserve forests of Kukrakata, bagser and Panbari and the northern slopes of Karbi plateau (total about 500 km2) should be added to the park. 3. The boundary should be fenced to prevent human encroachment and stock grazing. 4. Patrolling should be intensified. 5. Erosion by the Brahmaputra river along the northern boundary should be checked. 6. Kaziranga's importance should be recognized by incorporating it into the Man and Biosphere Programme and UNESCO's World Heritage Programme.
The park now covers 430 kmy. The Government has proposed a further addition of 454.5 kmy, including the Brahmaputra River, and this will be handed over to the park administration when ownership rights have been settled.
1984, S E Asia, IRS 100,000 per kg
1969, S E Asia, IRS 33,600 per kg
