Total
Coverage Area: 78.81 sq kms/78810 ha.
Established
In: 1985 as a sanctuary
1999 as a National Park
Location: Orang National Park is spread over two districts of the
state of Assam -- Darrang and Sonitpur -- on the north bank of the Brahmaputra.
Description:
The area comprises the alluvial flood plains of the Brahmaputra. Two distinct
alluvial terraces, the lower portion of mere recent origin along the Brahmaputra
and older upper portion to its north, are separated by a high bank cutting
through the national park from east to west. The national park on the whole
is a flat land. The altitude ranges from is 45m to 70 m. The southern and
eastern boundaries of the park comprise channels, and islands of the Brahmaputra.The
western boundary is an artificial boundary demarcated by a trench from villages.
The villages almost from its all sides surround the entire area. Even in the
southern side, the riverine islands are now inhabited by human habitation
and the national park is under constant biotic pressure. The area comprises
alluvial flood plains of the Brahmaputra. The park on the whole is a flat
land and the terrain is gentle slope from north to south. The area enjoys
typical subtropical monsoon climate and major precipitation occurs during
the period from May to September.
Visiting Season:
November to May.
Access
:
By Air: Tezpur is the nearest airport to Orang. However Guwahati has better
connections with almost all the major cities to India.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is Rongapara Both Tezpur and Guwahati are connected
very well by the rail network of India.
By Road: Orang can be approached from NH 52 through gravel roads running from
Orang town and Dhansirimukh. It is about 65km from Tezpur, 127 km from Guwahati.
The sanctuary is 15 km off the national highway near Orang town (Dhansirimukh).
The distance between Guwahati and Dhansirimukh is 127 km.
Temperature :
Months Morning Afternoon
October-March 5-15º Celsius 20-25 º Celsius
April 12-25 º Celsius 25-30º Celsius
May-June 20-28 º Celsius 30-32º Celsius
Average annual Rainfall 3000mm
Park Safari Timings:
Visitors can enter the area only in the mornings or afternoon preferably on
elephant back.
Accommodation and facilities: Orang offers two resthouses and one
dormitory facility for visitors.
Wildlife:
Flora:
The floral wealth of the park is very significant. The Natural Forest species
are like Bombax ceiba, Dalbergia sisoo, Sterculia villosa, Trewia nudiflora,
Zizypphus jujuba, Litsaea polyantha, etc. Among the non aquatic grassland
species the prominent are Phragmites karka, Arundo donax, Imperata cylindrical,
Saccarum spp. etc. The aquatic grass/plants species are Andropogon spp., Ipomea
reptans, Enhydra flushians, Nymphia spp., Wichornia spp. etc
Mammals:
Apart from the greater Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis),
which is the dominant species of the national park, the other key species
sharing the habitat, are the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), Asiatic
elephant (Elephas maxima), hog deer (Axis percinus), wild boar (Sus scrofa).
Besides, there are other small mammals like civets, leopards, hare, and porcupines.
There are more than 50 species of fish. Among reptiles, turtles like Lissemys
punctata, Kachuga tecta, and among snakes pythons and cobras are known to
frequent these areas.
Birds:
Orang National Park is rich in avifauna. According to Bombay Natural History
Society (BNHS), after Manas National Park, it is Orang which is the most important
habitat of the Bengal florican in Assam. The estimated population is about
30-40. BN Talukdar, and P Sarma have prepared a checklist of other species
of birds in the national park. Important avifauna are Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis
bengalensis), 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.
Tiger Den Resort has 20 air-conditioned double bed rooms built in cottages
style along with a multi cuisine restaurant serving Indian, Continental and
Chinese. Other facilities include, Park Safaris, folk dances and campfires.
Each airconditioned bedroom has private bathroom with bath and/or shower and
toilet.