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World Rhino Day is all about celebrating the five different species of rhinoceros and educating people about the danger that they are facing. The five types of rhinos are the Black, White, Greater One Horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos. Among these, the Black, Javan and Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered. India is home to 2544 one-horned rhinos, as per the 2015 census, which are spread over the various major national parks of the country. It is due to the contribution of the Indian national parks that the Indian rhinos are not considered endangered. Keeping them safe, away from poaching and facing habitat loss, let us explore the Indian national parks and their significant role in conserving the one-horned rhinos.
6 National Parks in India to spot rhinos
1. Kaziranga National Park
Situated in Assam, Kaziranga National Park is among the most popular national parks in India. The park is highly significant for its large population of animals and wildlife conservation initiatives. This national park is known for sheltering the majority of rhinos in India, as it is home to 1855 adult Indian rhinos. The Kaziranga National Park is also a World Heritage Site. Apart from rhinos, this national park also has the highest density of tigers in India. There are other significant animal species to be found here, such as Gaur, Wild Water Buffalo, King Cobra, Rock Python and a lot more.
How to reach: The Kaziranga National Park is at a distance of 200 km from Guwahati Railway Station, and the nearest airport is the Jorhat airport which is situated at a distance of 96 km from Kaziranga National Park.
Best time to visit: November- April
Entry fee: Rs 100 per person
2. Jaldapara National Park
Jaldapara National Park is situated at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas, in West Bengal. With a large variety of flora and fauna, this national park also consists of a large population of Indian rhinoceros, being home to about 108 rhinos. The park is a vast grassland, covered with tall grasses, and also has a number of other animal species such as leopards, elephants, sambhar, Palla’s fish eagle, barking deer and a lot more.
How to reach: The nearest railway station to the Jaldapara National Park is the New Jalpaiguri railway station, situated at a distance of 20 km, and the nearest airport is the Bagdogra Airport at a distance of 145 km from the national park.
Best time to visit: October- May
Entry fee: Rs 100 per person
3. Dudhwa National Park
Situated in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, the Dudhwa National Park consists of a large number of endangered species such as the Barasingha and Hispid, along with the Indian rhinoceros. The one-horned rhinos were reintroduced in the Dudhwa National Park along with the Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary. The Dudhwa National Park is a marshy grassland in northern Uttar Pradesh and plays an important role when it comes to endangered species.
How to reach: The nearest railway stations to Dudhwa National Park are Lucknow and Shahjahanpur, at a distance of 238 km and 112 km respectively. The nearest airport is the Lucknow airport which is located at a distance of 236.8 km from the national park.
Best time to visit: November- April
Entry fee: Rs 50 per person
4. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Home to the highest population of Indian rhinos in the world, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Morigaon in Assam. This wildlife sanctuary is especially known for its preservation and protection of the one-horned rhinos. The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary also provides shelter to over 2000 migratory birds and various reptiles, along with a large population of Asiatic Buffalos, Leopards and Wild Bears. This national park is an organic forest area and is a significant wildlife sanctuary in India.
How to reach: The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at a distance of 30 km from Guwahati.
Best time to visit: November- February
Entry fee: Rs 1000 for elephant rides and Rs 3650 for jeep safari
5. Gorumara National Park
The Gorumara National Park in West Bengal is famous for conserving Indian rhinos. It is a reserve forest primarily known for its population of Indian rhinos, located in the Dooars region of the Himalayan foothills. With thick forests and wildlife, it is home to almost 300 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and 50 species of mammals.
How to reach: The nearest airport to Gorumara National Park is Bagdogra, situated at a distance of 85 km. There are bus services available from Chalsa to Gorumara, which takes about 30 minutes to reach the park.
Best time to visit: November- March
Entry fee: Rs 120 per person
6. Orang National Park
Considered the mini Kaziranga, the Orang National Park is situated along the banks of the river Brahmaputra. Located in Assam, the Orang National Park has a similar marshy landscape, dotted with streams and grasslands as that of Kaziranga. With a rich variety of flora and fauna, this national park is home to over 50 rhinos. The other animal species here include the wild water buffalo, Pygmy Hog and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
How to reach: The Salonibari Railway station is the nearest railway to the Orang National Park, situated at a distance of 55 km.
Best time to visit: October- April
Entry fee: Rs 20 per person
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