Kaziranga: India’s Rising Tiger Habitat
Syllabus: Environment & Ecology (UPSC GS III)
Source: The Hindu
Context
On Global Tiger Day 2025, Assam’s Chief Minister released a report showing that Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (KTR) now ranks third in tiger density among all Indian tiger reserves, after Bandipur and Corbett.
Understanding Tiger Density
Tiger density measures the number of tigers per 100 sq. km and serves as a key ecological indicator of predator health and habitat quality.
Top 3 Tiger Reserves by Density (2024)
- Bandipur (Karnataka): 19.83 tigers / 100 sq. km
- Corbett (Uttarakhand): 19.56 tigers / 100 sq. km
- Kaziranga (Assam): 18.65 tigers / 100 sq. km
Kaziranga has recorded 148 tigers across 1,307.49 sq. km, up from 104 in 2022. This includes 27 tigers from the newly surveyed Biswanath Division, indicating effective conservation and habitat expansion.
About Kaziranga National Park
Location & Geography
- Situated in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam.
- Lies along the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, part of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.
Historical Significance
- Established in 1905 following the efforts of Mary Curzon.
- Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
- Notified as a Tiger Reserve in 2006.
Ecological Diversity
Flora
- Comprises four major vegetation types:
- Alluvial grasslands
- Savanna woodlands
- Moist deciduous forests
- Semi-evergreen forests
- Dominant plant species: Elephant Apple, Cotton Tree, Indian Gooseberry.
Fauna
- Home to the largest global population of Indian one-horned rhinoceros (2,200+).
- Also shelters:
- Bengal tigers
- Asiatic elephants
- Swamp deer
- Hoolock gibbons
- Migratory birds such as the greater adjutant and black-necked stork
Significance for Conservation
Kaziranga’s rising tiger numbers reflect successful conservation policies, habitat management, and anti-poaching efforts. The inclusion of the Biswanath Division has helped expand viable tiger territory, showcasing a replicable model for other reserves.
