Orang national park

Location :31-km From Tezpur, 150-km from Guwahati, Assam
Coverage area : 72-sq-kms
Main attraction : One-Horned Rhinos, Elephants, Leopards & Migratory Birds
Best time to visit :October to April
Nearby excursions :
Nearby cities :Assam

Enjoy the wild at mini kaziranga - orang national park

The Orang National Park is situated on the alluvial plains of the north bank of the river Brahmaputra. It sprawls over an area of 78.81 sq. km. in Assam, the north eastern state of India and is lovingly called the Mini Kaziranga. The National Park has now been renamed and is officially referred to as the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.

The Assam Orang National Park, on the whole, is a flat terrain with a gentle slope from north to south. The park area enjoys typical subtropical monsoon climate because of its unique location. The southern and eastern boundaries of the park comprise the river channels and some small islands of the Brahmaputra. The western boundary is an artificial boundary which has been made

by the villages, delimited by a foxhole. These villages almost surround it from all the sides. There are riverine islands of the southern side which are now inhabited by human habitation and unfortunately, the national park is under continuous biotic pressure.

located in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts, in 1915, Orang was declared a Game reserve came under the control of the wild life wing of the State Forest Department to conserve and maintain the Project Tiger. This Game reserve was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1985 and it was declared as a National Park in 1999.

During the monsoon season, the park becomes a veritable flood plain that has given rise to 12 wetlands and with 26 man-made ponds, this region is haven for some specific sorts of wildlife community.

Climatic conditions

Orang National Park has a subtropical monsoon between the months of May to September. During the summer season the temperature can be as high as 30?C on a hot summer afternoon however, it is comparatively pleasant at nights. During winters, the temperature can fall to 5?C in the early morning and experiences an average temperature of 15 - 20?C. Average temperature in the park stays in the range of 15?C to 25?C with 66% to 95% of humidity.

The ideal time visit Orang is during the months of October to April.

Animals that inhabit the sanctuary

The tiger population is estimated to be quite large but what attracts tourists more are the Indian One Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis). The actual population of both these wildlife species has come down due to rampant poaching in the past but with proper conservation, the number of Rhinos have increased. But there are other key species which dominate the wildlife here. Some of the species include the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic elephant, hog deer and wild boar. Smaller mammals like civets, leopards, hare, and porcupines are also easily spotted here. Jungle Cat, Rhesus Macaque, fishing cat, Jungle cat, Wild pig are some of the prevailing mammals in the National Park. The river Brahmaputra has substantial number of the rare Ganges Dolphin.

Flora

The vegetation of the park is uniquely rich. The natural forest species are like Bombaxceiba, Dalbergiasisoo, Zizypphusjujuba, Litsaeapolyantha, Sterculiavillosa, Trewianudiflora and others are found in abundance here. There's also a huge range of the non aquatic grassland species and the prominent are Phragmiteskarka, Saccarum, Arundodonax, and Imperata cylindrical. The aquatic grassplants species include but not limited to Andropogon, Ipomeareptans, Nymphia, Wichornia, Enhydraflushians and others.

The birds

Orang National Park in Assam is the most precious habitat of the Bengal florican. The birdwatchers can spot approximately 30-40 kinds of birds of which the majorly seen are Spot-billed Pelican (Pelicanusphilippensis), Greater Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilosdubius), Wooly-necked Stork (Ciconiaepiscopus), Rudy Shelduck (Tadornaferruginea), Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchusasiaticus), Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilosjavanicus), Pallas's Fishing Eagle (Haliaeetusleucoryphus), Gadwall (Anasstrepera), Mallard (Anasplatyrhynchos), Pintail (Anasacuta) and a number of others including forest and grassland birds.

Turtles like Lissemyspunctata, Kachugatecta, pythons and cobras are some of the prevalent reptiles that frequent this Park.

Distance of Orang national park from major cities:

Guwahati ,128 km
Salonibari ,55 km
Tezpur ,50 km
Manipur ,490 km
Sikkim ,620 km
Darjeeling ,550 km
Kolkata , 1062 km
Lucknow ,1419 km
Delhi ,1977 km

How to reach the National park ?

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Airways

The nearest airport is based at Tezpur which is approximately about sixty kilometres from the Orang National Park. There are a huge number of private cars and buses that connect the airport to the national park. LokpriyaGopinathBordoloi International Airport (GAU) is about 95 km from the National Park and this airport connects most of the major cities in India.

Railways

The closest railway station is at Saloni which is about fifty-five kilometres from the Orang National Park. There are taxis that can help get the transfers.

Roadways

The Orang National Park is well connected to the other towns and cities by road. In fact, there are both public and private buses that run to and fro between the national park and other towns. The National Park can be reached via NH 52 via buses from Tezpur or Guwahati. Both these cities have linkes to the other major cities.

Accommodation facilities

Individual and group accommodations for up to 40 people are available at the forest dormitory. The tourist lodge is maintained by the forest department and can accommodate a maximum of 16 people. For both of these stays, you need to have prior reservation. Kanoka Village Resort, Hotel Siddarth Palace, Hotel Paradise Residency, pobitora eco camp, Hotel Blue Bird and many more private stays are available around the National Park and at Tezpur.

Things to do

Wildlife spotting

A visit to the national park is incomplete without taking a safari ride. The thrilling route through the swampy grasslands of Assam is the home to many different endangered species and especially the one-horned rhino. Tourists can easily sight elephants and tigers in this national park along with other animals like an Indian hog deer, wild boar, and different species of snakes.

Bird watching

Being shelter to around 200 bird species, the tourists to this national park can see the heron, Bengal florican, pelican, kingfisher, golden eagle and many more avian species easily.

Elephant ride

One of the most fascinating things is the elephant ride which is organized by the forest department. It is undoubtedly one of the best ways to indulge into the wilderness of the wildlife reserve. The rides are available in both morning and evening.

Cruise ride

A little different way by taking a cruise ride on the Brahmaputra River is one of the any things to enjoy the National Park. This cruise service has been started by the Assam Bengal Navigation Luxury Cruise and the initiative has become an instant boost among the tourists.