Into The Flames

A controlled fire offers a chance to observe the spectacular behaviour of Indian Rollers in Kaziranga National Park

- Nilesh Shah

On a scorching summer afternoon, one of my sojourns took me to Kaziranga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled in the valleys and gorges created by the Brahmaputra, it is a haven for flora and fauna. Its expansive semi-evergreen tropical forest makes it a perfect habitat for the great Indian one-horned rhino. In addition, a variety of animals such as elephants, tigers, and water buffaloes make Kaziranga a Mecca for wildlife lovers. The bird life here is also highly vibrant.

We drove along the Western Zone, pausing occasionally to take in the surroundings. We got what we came for – a ton of pictures of rhinos, water buffaloes, elephants and other animals. A couple of rhinos even had a minor scuffle adding to my repertoire of candid shots. I also got some beautiful habitat shots of the glorious beast, sometimes in the water, sometimes surrounded by birds on its broad back.