Kaziranga: Second Largest Butterfly Habitat in India
Why in the news?
Kaziranga National Park in Assam has recorded over 446 butterfly species, making it the second-largest butterfly habitat in India, following Namdapha National Park. This biodiversity achievement highlights Kaziranga’s rich and diverse ecosystem.
Overview:
- Kaziranga National Park in Assam houses over 446 butterfly species, ranking second in the country after Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It is located in the districts of Golaghat and Nagaon, Assam, and is a significant part of the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
Key Features:
- The park was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
- Rivers such as Diffalu and Moradifalu flow through and along the park’s boundaries.
- Kaziranga’s landscape is dominated by dense forests, tall elephant grasses, marshes, and shallow pools.
Flora and Fauna:
- Flora includes elephant grass, water lilies, water hyacinths, lotus, and Rattan Cane, a type of climbing palm.
- Fauna includes endangered species like the one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, eastern swamp deer, elephants, buffalo, hoolock gibbon, capped langur, and the Gangetic River dolphin.
- It is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses and a diverse array of mammals.
Other National Parks in Assam:
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park: Known for its swamp forests and grasslands, located near the Brahmaputra River.
- Manas National Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for tigers and elephants.
- Nameri National Park: Rich in bird species and biodiversity.
- Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park: Known for rhinoceros and aquatic birds.
Sources Referred:
PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times