On the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, Orang National Park may be small, but it’s a wildlife powerhouse. Dubbed ‘Mini Kaziranga’, it spans 79.28 sq km, sheltering the one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, and other endangered species.

But Orang wasn’t always a wildlife haven. Once home to local tribes, it was abandoned in the early 1900s due to an epidemic. In 1915, the British made it a game reserve, and after decades of transformation, it became a national park in 1999.

The park lies in an alluvial floodplain formed by rivers like the Pachnoi, Belsiri, and Dhansiri. This geography creates seasonal flooding, supporting a rich ecosystem with 12 natural wetlands and 26 artificial water bodies.

Orang is the northernmost stronghold of the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, with around 125 rhinos as of 2022. Numbers have been steadily increasing, making the park crucial for conservation efforts.

In addition to rhinos, Orang hosts large mammals like Asiatic elephants, wild water buffaloes, and hog deer. The park also shelters endangered species, including the pygmy hog, Bengal porcupine, and Indian pangolin.

Once known for its thriving Bengal tiger population, Orang has faced challenges due to human-wildlife conflict and poaching. As of July 2023, the tiger population stands at around 26.

To address these threats, a unique conservation programme, supported by global organizations like WAZA, employs camera traps and geo-spatial monitoring. Additionally, local communities are actively involved in mitigating human-tiger conflicts.

Despite its small size, Orang National Park plays a crucial role in global biodiversity. It provides a key habitat for over 50 fish species and numerous migratory birds, earning recognition as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

Orang National Park stands as a biodiversity hotspot, protecting iconic species like the one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tiger. Its significance extends beyond India’s rich natural heritage, contributing to global conservation efforts.