Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is the oldest game reserve of the State just on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra with an area of 78.80 sq. kms. and an important breeding ground for varieties of Fishes.
What you expect to see in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park
Mammal: Rhinoceros, Tiger, Maljuria Elephants (male elephants in group), Hog Deer, Wild Pig, Civet Cat, Porcupine and Gangetic Dolphin.
Birds: 222 species of Birds have so far been recorded, some of which are Spot Billed Pelican, White Pelican, Greater Adjutant Stork, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Brahminy Duck, Pintail Duck, Bengal Florican(2nd.highest concentration) etc.
Reptiles: Indian Rock Python, Black Krait, King Cobra, Cobra, Monitor Lizard.
Turtles: Seven species of Turtle and Tortoise are found.
How to reach: The nearest Airport Salonibari (Tezpur) is 80 kms. and the LGBI Guwahati Airport is 150 kms. The National Park is located 18 kms. south of the N.H. 52 at Dhansirighat and the distance to Mangaldai is 70 kms. and Guwahati is 150 kms.
Points :-
- Brahmaputra river
- Darrang and Sonitpur district
- Indian Rhinoceros, Pygmy hog, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, Bengal tiger
- Only stronghold of rhinoceros on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river.
- Formed of alluvial flood plains of the many rivers and is an integral part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
Geography
This place is situated amidst dense forests with tall trees and high grasslands. Total area of the park is about 78.81 Km2. It lies on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River Assam. The whole park is encircled by inhabited villages thus subjecting it to biotic pressure. It has fox holes built by the villagers on its west.
Belsiri River and Dhansiri River border the park and join the Brahmaputra River. During the monsoon season, the park becomes a veritable flood plain with the many streams overlapping each other. These flood plains constitute 12 wetlands in the park, apart from the 26 man-made ponds, sub staining the belief that this region was once home to a particular community.
The total area of the park has been categorized into, Eastern Himalayan Moist Deciduous Forest, Eastern Seasonal Swamp Forest, Eastern Wet Alluvial Grassland, Savannah Grasslands, Degraded Grassland, Water body, Moist Sandy area and Dry Sandy area.
The elevation in the park varies from 45 metres to 70 metres. It is bounded on its south and east by islands and spill channels of the river. But the flat alluvial land is seen distinctly as two terraces, the lower terrace is of recent origin on the bank of the Brahmaputra River and the other is the upper terrace to the north, separated by a high bank running through the park.
The park is located on the Geological coordination of 26033’41” N and 92019’00” E.
The average annual rainfall is 3,000 mm.
Temperature: Maximum – 35o C
Minimum – 5o C
Humidity in the park varies from 66% to 95%.
Dominant flora
Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia sisoo, Sterculia villosa, Trewia nudiflora, Zizyphus jujuba, Litsaea polyantha, Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Imperata cylindrical, Ipomea reptans, Enhydra flushians etc.
Dominant fauna
Mammals – Indian One Horned Rhinoceros, Pygmy Hog, Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Buffalo, Asiatic Elephant, Wild Boar, Leopards, Hog deer, Jungle Cat, Rhesus Macaque, Small Indian Civet, Otter, Gangetic Dolphin, Wild pig, fishing cat, Jungle cat etc.
