The Orang National Park is situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra at 26°33'41"N 92°19'18"E. covering an area of 78.81 sq. km. in the Udalguri district of Assam, the north eastern state of India. Also known as the Mini Kaziranga, the Orang National Park in Assam is famous for its natural scenic beauty that captivates the tourists from all over the world. The Assam Orang National Park was established as a sanctuary in 1985 and declared a National Park on 13th of April 1999. It is 140 km from the capital Guwahati.
Perhaps Orang National Park is the only NP in India to be created naturally in an area abandone by human population, a tribe called Orang from then Bihar and Orissa lived. Till 1900 the area of 78 sq km was inhabitated by the Orang tribes who due to some epidemic deseases abandoned it. In 1915 the area was declared as a Game Reserve by the British rulers. After witnessing different stages the area was declared in 1999 as National Park.It is the only one horned rhino bearing area on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra. The number of Rhinos are about 65 and Royal Bengal Tiger population is about 28. Six lone elephants deserted by their herds are also taking shelter here.Besides other flaura and faunas, the Park is also significant from the Archaeological view point as some artifacts dating back to 8-10 centuries were recovered inside the Park. A Shiva temple still exists in Old Orang forest beat of the park. In the field of conservation and protection of this Park, at the initiative of the then Divisional Forest Officer, Mangaldai Wild life Division Mr. Chitta Ranjan Bhobora and the members of Green Society the premier NGO including Bhargab Kumar Das, on conservation of the wildlife, way back in 2000, as many as 25 hard core rhino poacchers surrendered before the public and since then they are extending all co-opeartion to the Park authorities in conservation matters. Sub Inspectors namely Pradip Bora, Pradip Barua of Assam Police posted in Dalgaon police station and Silbori out post took a key role in containing the increased poaching activities. Similarly, Pallav Bhattacharjee IPS and Munna Prasad Gupta IPS both former Superintendent of Police in Darrang took a laudable initiative to protect the park.
The fauna found here include the one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, leopard, sambar, barking deer, royal bengal tiger, varieties of water birds, green pigeon, florican, teal, geese etc. The park is also famous for its migratory birds from places as far as from America like the milky white pelicans
The Landscape
The Assam Orang National Park on the whole is a flat land and the terrain is gentle slope from north to south. The park area enjoys typical subtropical monsoon climate. The southern and eastern boundaries of the park comprise channels, and islands of the Brahmaputra. The western boundary is an artificial boundary delimited by a foxhole from villages. The villages almost from its all sides surround the whole area. Even in the southern side, the riverine islands are now inhabited by human habitation and the national park is under continuous biotic pressure. The area consists of alluvial flood plains of the Brahmaputra
The Flora
The vegetation of the park is very rich. The natural forest species are like Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia sisoo, Sterculia villosa, Trewia nudiflora, Zizypphus jujuba, Litsaea polyantha, etc are found here. Among the non aquatic grassland species the prominent are Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Imperata cylindrical, Saccarum spp. etc. The aquatic grassplants species are Andropogon spp., Ipomea reptans, Enhydra flushians, Nymphia spp., Wichornia spp. etc
The Fauna
Apart from the greater Indian one-horned rhinoceros, which is the dominant species of the national park, the other key species sharing the habitat, are the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asiatic elephant, hog deer, wild boar. Besides, there are other small mammals like civets, leopards, hare, and porcupines. There are more than 50 species of fish.
The Birds
Orang National Park in Assam is the most important habitat of the Bengal florican. The estimated population is about 30-40. Other important birds are Spot-billed Pelican (Pelicanus philippensis), Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus), Greater Adjutant Stork (Leptoptilos dubius), Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), Wooly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus), Rudy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Pintail (Anas acuta), Pallas's Fishing Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) and a number of others including forest and grassland birds.
The Reptiles
Among reptiles, turtles like Lissemys punctata, Kachuga tecta, and among snakes pythons and cobras are known to frequent these in this area.
Trip within the Orang National Park Tour the park interiors on the back of the Elephants.Night stay at forest guest house to have vision of night life at dark. Elephant Rides The first and best preferred mode is on elephant's back. Elephant rides allow you to get up very close to the wild animals and make you feel totally one with nature due to the lack of any sound or noise. Ideal real jungle safari with natures peace at Orang National Park.
