East India is a treasure trove of biodiversity, home to some of the most captivating and diverse wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The region's lush landscapes, ranging from dense forests to sprawling grasslands, provide habitats for a multitude of species. Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its significant population of the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros. This park, straddling the floodplains of the Brahmaputra River, is also a haven for tigers, elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer. The rich avian life, including the Bengal florican and the great hornbill, attracts birdwatchers from across the globe. Kaziranga's thriving ecosystem, with its mosaic of grasslands, wetlands, and forests, offers an unparalleled wildlife viewing experience.
Further south, the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest mangrove forest in the world, straddles the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in West Bengal. This unique landscape of intertwined waterways and dense mangroves is famous for its elusive Royal Bengal tigers, which have adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The Sundarbans are also home to a rich variety of fauna, including spotted deer, saltwater crocodiles and the Indian python. The vibrant birdlife includes species like the masked finfoot and the mangrove pitta. The Sundarbans' delicate ecosystem plays a crucial role in protecting the coastal regions from storm surges and cyclones, while its biodiversity underscores the importance of conservation efforts in this extraordinary habitat. Together, Kaziranga and the Sundarbans highlight the incredible wildlife heritage of East India, offering a glimpse into some of the most unique and vital ecosystems on the planet.