Kaziranga National Park and Kajir Ronghangpi: Reclaiming Karbi Narratives

Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its successful conservation of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, has a contested history marked by the marginalization of indigenous communities. This study reveals that the Karbi tribe's oral traditions and the legend of Kajir Ronghangpi, a revered figure in their narrative, challenge mainstream conservation discourse and official historiography. The research demonstrates how cultural myths are mobilized to resist dispossession, reassert indigenous identity, and navigate the complexities arising from conservation efforts, tourism expansion, and state development projects. By centering Karbi perspectives, the study illuminates the often-overlooked dimensions of ecological landscapes and indigenous agency in shaping their heritage.

Das, P., & Robin Hazarika. (2025). Kaziranga National Park and Kajir Ronghangpi: Reclaiming Karbi Narratives. Economic & Political Weekly, 60(48). https://doi.org/10.71279/epw.v60i48.44511