World Heritage Identification Number: 337
World Heritage since: 1985
Category: Natural Heritage
WHE Type: Protected Areas & National Parks
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇮🇳 India
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Kaziranga National Park: A Sanctuary for the One-Horned Rhinoceros
Kaziranga National Park, located in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, is a significant biodiversity hotspot that serves as a vital habitat for numerous endangered species. Established in 1908 as a reserve forest, it was declared a national park in 1974, and in 1985, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ix): River fluctuations by the Brahmaputra river system result in spectacular examples of riverine and fluvial processes. River bank erosion, sedimentation and formation of new lands as well as new water-bodies, plus succession between grasslands and woodlands represents outstanding examples of significant and ongoing, dynamic ecological and biological processes. Wet alluvial grasslands occupy nearly two-thirds of the park area and are maintained by annual flooding and burning. These natural processes create complexes of habitats which are also responsible for a diverse range of predator/prey relationships.
Criterion (x): Kaziranga was inscribed for being the world’s major stronghold of the Indian one-horned rhino, having the single largest population of this species, currently estimated at over 2,000 animals. The property also provides habitat for a number of globally threatened species including tiger, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, gaur, eastern swamp deer, Sambar deer, hog deer, capped langur, hoolock gibbon and sloth bear. The park has recorded one of the highest density of tiger in the country and has been declared a Tiger Reserve since 2007. The park’s location at the junction of the Australasia and Indo-Asian flyway means that the park’s wetlands play a crucial role for the conservation of globally threatened migratory bird species. The Endangered Ganges dolphin is also found in some of the closed oxbow lakes.
Encyclopedia Record: Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat, Sonitpur, Biswanath and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. KNP has 5 ranges. The park, which hosts two-thirds of the world's Indian rhinoceroses, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to a March 2018 census conducted jointly by the Forest Department of the Government of Assam and some recognized wildlife NGOs, the rhino population in Kaziranga National Park is 2,613. It comprises 1,641 adult rhinos and 385 calves.Additional Site Details
Area: 42,996 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(x) — Contains most important habitats for biodiversity
Coordinates: 26.66666667 , 93.41666667
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
The 2025 Conservation Outlook on Kaziranga National Park reports the following assessment:
Source: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) · View assessment
Image
© Dr. Raju Kasambe, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Kaziranga National Park from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Coprophilous fungi from dung of the Greater One-Horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park, India and its implication to paleoherbivory and paleoecology
Researchers have identified coprophilous fungi, particularly Sporormiella, Saccobolus, Ascodesmis, Cercophora, and Sordaria, in the dung of the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) within Kaziranga National Park, India. This discovery marks the first documentation of these fungi in rhino dung across both forest and grassland habitats. The Sporormiella–Ascodesmis–Saccobolus assemblage is notably abundant, providing insights into the ecological relationships between rhinoceroses, flora, and other fauna. By analyzing fungal spore distribution, the study offers a novel approach to reconstructing past herbivory patterns (paleoherbivory) and ecosystem dynamics (paleoecology), with implications for understanding historical animal distributions in India and surrounding regions.
Basumatary, S. K., & McDonald, H. G. (2017). Coprophilous fungi from dung of the Greater One-Horned Rhino in Kaziranga National Park, India and its implication to paleoherbivory and paleoecology. Quaternary Research, 88(1), 14–22. https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2017.34
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Park, People and Biodiversity Conservation in Kaziranga National Park, India
Kaziranga National Park (KNP) faces significant challenges in biodiversity conservation due to complex park-people relations. A case study of peripheral villages revealed that while local communities suffer from livestock losses and damage to paddy fields caused by wild animals, they benefit economically from tourism-related activities. The study highlights the need for extended tourism initiatives and community welfare measures to foster sustainable coexistence between conservation efforts and local livelihoods. These findings provide critical insights for policy-making aimed at balancing biodiversity protection with socio-economic development in KNP.
Das, D. (2017). Park, People and Biodiversity Conservation in Kaziranga National Park, India. Space and Culture, India, 5(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.20896/saci.v5i1.244
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Riding the Rhino: Conservation, Conflicts, and Militarisation of Kaziranga National Park in Assam
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rhinoceros population, has become a focal point of complex conservation challenges intertwined with socio-political dynamics. The study reveals that while the rhino is often deified in public discourse, there is a striking lack of attention to the human cost of anti-poaching measures, which have resulted in significant loss of life among young men. This research examines the intersections of class, culture, and commerce, highlighting how developmental narratives seek to position both people and rhinos in predefined roles. The analysis draws from media representations, such as digital films and Durga Puja motifs, to critically assess the political discourse surrounding Assamese identity and conservation efforts.
Barbora, S. (2017). Riding the Rhino: Conservation, Conflicts, and Militarisation of Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Antipode, 49(5), 1145–1163. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/anti.12329
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Does ecotourism affect economic welfare? Evidence from Kaziranga National Park, India
Ecotourism significantly enhances economic welfare and fosters positive attitudes toward conservation in communities surrounding Kaziranga National Park. Households engaged in ecotourism report improved living conditions, political empowerment, and increased household expenditures, underscoring its role as a market-based conservation strategy. The study, conducted through random sampling of peripheral villages and regression analysis, reveals that ecotourism strengthens local economies while promoting pro-conservation behaviors. Recommendations include diversifying livelihoods with off-season activities rooted in local culture and skills, alongside government support for eco-development projects, training, and financing to sustain long-term benefits.
Das, D., & Hussain, I. (2016). Does ecotourism affect economic welfare? Evidence from Kaziranga National Park, India. Journal of Ecotourism, 15(3), 241–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/14724049.2016.1192180
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A GIS based study on bank erosion by the river Brahmaputra around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
Kaziranga National Park, home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses and a rich biodiversity, has experienced significant land loss due to bank erosion by the Brahmaputra River. A GIS-based study revealed that from 1912–1916 to 2008, the park lost 88.188 km² of area, with erosion outpacing sediment deposition in all studied periods (1912–1972, 1972–1998, and 1998–2008). The highest erosion rates were observed between 1972 and 1998 (1.59 km²/year), while the maximum bankline shifts reached 4.58 km during 1912–1972. Loose, non-cohesive sediments along the riverbanks, combined with the river's braided course, were identified as primary causes of erosion. The study suggests future deposition may increase in the park's eastern part, while middle regions face continued erosion risk. Antierosion measures have been implemented only sporadically.
Sarma, J. N., & Acharjee, S. (2012). A GIS based study on bank erosion by the river Brahmaputra around Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. https://doi.org/10.5194/esdd-3-1085-2012
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An analysis of livelihood linkages of tourism in Kaziranga National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site in India
Tourism in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, generates approximately US$5 million annually, with local stakeholders capturing about 65% of these funds. However, significant income leakage occurs due to the importation of supplies and logistical support from outside the tourism zone. The study suggests that planned interventions, such as promoting locally-made products and strengthening community institutions, could enhance financial benefits for locals. Additionally, diversifying tourist experiences through nature trails and package tours in buffer zones may increase visitation to underutilized areas, providing further livelihood opportunities.
Hussain, S. A., Barthwal, S. C., Badola, R., Rahman, S. M. T., Rastogi, A., Tuboi, C., & Bhardwaj, A. K. (2012). An analysis of livelihood linkages of tourism in Kaziranga National Park, a Natural World Heritage Site in India. Parks, 18(2), 34–44. https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2012.parks-18-2.sah.en
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Orthopteroids in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India
A survey of Orthopteroids (insects belonging to the order Orthoptera) in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India, identified 14 species, including one potentially new to science. The study highlights the park's biodiversity, particularly its grasshopper and cricket diversity, which may serve as indicators for ecosystem health. Researchers conducted field surveys across different habitats within the park, collecting specimens and documenting their distribution. This work contributes to the understanding of Orthopteroids in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these often-overlooked but ecologically significant insects.
Senthilkumar, N. (2010). Orthopteroids in Kaziranga National Park, Assam, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2(10), 1227–1231. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.o2437.1227-31
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