Rhino-rich Kaziranga may be a tiger reserve

The Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, is to be declared a tiger reserve, wildlife department sources here said.

The Kaziranga National Park in Assam, home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceros, is to be declared a tiger reserve, wildlife department sources here said.

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The Kaziranga park also has among the highest number of tigers in India - estimated at 86 in the 2001 census. It will now be declared a tiger reserve, to give better protection to the fast disappearing big cat.

This was decided at a meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and 20 field directors from different natural parks and sanctuaries in the country at the Ranthambore park here Monday.

Three states - Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh - made presentations to the prime minister at the two-hour meeting during which Manmohan Singh expressed his concern about the state of the wildlife.

Beside Indian rhino, the other major attractions of the Kaziranga park include a large number of elephants, Indian bison, Swamp deer, Hog deer, Sloth Bears, tigers, leopards, jungle cats, otters, hog badgers, langurs, gibbons, wild boar, jackal, wild buffalo, pythons and monitor lizards.

Kaziranga is also a paradise for bird lovers. It is home to the Oriental Honey Buzzard, Black-Shouldered Kite, Black Kite, Brahminy Kite and various species of eagles.