Kaziranga National Park is one of the most visited national parks in India. It is located in the Golaghat and Nagaon district of Assam. Kaziranga National Park is a world heritage site and is home to many endangered species, including the famous One-Horned Rhinoceros. Recently, Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park was established at Durgapur village, situated around the National Park. The orchid and Biodiversity Park is one of a kind, possessing more than 600 species of orchids from various regions of North East India, 132 species of sour fruits and leafy vegetables, 12 species of canes and 46 species of bamboo. The orchid park consists of a greenhouse harbouring a wide variety of orchids, cactus garden, photo gallery, medicinal herbal plant garden, product outlet corner, Assamese cultural heritage museum, a flower and a fruit garden, rice museum, fish pond with boating facility, a centre for folk-cultural practices and a rock garden.
The noble initiative of establishing this abode of heaven was taken up by Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti led by Akhil Gogoi.
Situated a few metres away from the high way, there was a good provision for parking.
The entry point to Kaziranga National Orchid and biodiversity Park
The first site to visit, just situated by the entrance is the orchid garden to the right and the Assamese cultural heritage museum to the left.
The first place we visited in the park was the orchid garden. We were given a nice tour through the mesmerizing by a local guide. Below are some of the views of the garden.
Lady Slipper Orchid
Equally mesmerizing was the cactus garden, filled with a wide variety of cacti. Some of them were larger than the average person.
Behind the cactus garden were the medicinal herbal plant garden, fruits and flower garden
Next, we visited the rice museum and the product outlet corner
The interior views of the Rice Museum which houses more than 200 varieties of rice seeds
Tradition Clothes can be bought at the outlet inside the rice museum
Medicinal herbs can be bought from the product outlet corner situated adjacent to the orchid museum
After that, we went for a boat ride in the fish pond and then to the rock garden. Then we went for a stroll in the forest adjacent to the park.
Boat ride in the fish pond
Provision for a walk provided for some distance into the forest
Later on, we had lunch inside the orchid park. We had a traditional Assamese thali consisting of 21 different varieties of dishes. The chicken curry made with till (Sesame) is worth tasting. One can also enjoy Assamese delicacies like Pitha and local tea. Different varieties of fruit juices are also available. One of them worth mentioning is the banana shake made from locally grown Bhim Banana, which is a heavily seeded variety of banana species found only in North East India.
Chicken curry
curd made from the milk of Ox with jaggery
The centre for folk-cultural practices is situated right in front of the place where we had lunch.
Next, we headed to the Photo Gallery. There one can find pictures of every variety of orchid found in North East India.
Orange plant outside the photo gallery
Sang Ghor or stilt or tree house inside the park
The park was not just mesmerizing but it is an example of what the people of a state working together can achieve. The initiative has not only benefitted the local people but has also made a great impact on tourism in the state of Assam. If you ever visit Kazaringa, you should definitely visit this place and enjoy its beauty
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