Kaziranga National Park | 11 Feb 2022

For Prelims: Kaziranga National Park, Carbon Sink.

For Mains: Causes for the Kaziranga National Park to become a net Carbon Emitter.

Recently a research published, which showed that Kaziranga National Park in Assam, is releasing more carbon than it is absorbing.

It also showed that as the planet warms further, the ability of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) to absorb carbon would further decrease.
- Earlier, it was found that the Amazon rainforest is now emitting more carbon dioxide than it is able to absorb.
Researchers found that Kaziranga absorbed the most amount of carbon dioxide during the pre-monsoon season of March, April and May.
A forests, or trees in a forest, take up carbon dioxide for the process of photosynthesis and release carbon dioxide when they breathe.

Unique soil:
- The soil of the region is home to a large population of bacteria that release carbon dioxide as they breathe, which adds to the carbon dioxide being emanated by other organisms, including trees.
Decrease in Photosynthetic Activity:
- The photosynthetic activity of trees during the monsoon decreases due to increased cloud cover. Hence, the ability of the forest to absorb carbon dioxide also decreases.
- The situation remains the same during the post-monsoon and winter months, making the forest a net carbon emitter.
Less rainfall from transpired water:
- The scientists analyzed the isotopes in the transpired water and observed a strong link between the water and carbon cycles of the forest.
- There is a decreasing trend in the rainfall coming from the transpired water in the pre-monsoon months which are responsible for the highest carbon absorption.
  - Transpiration is a process that involves loss of water vapour through the stomata of plants.
  - Stomatal openings are necessary to admit carbon dioxide to the leaf interior and to allow oxygen to escape during photosynthesis.

Location: It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 Hectare (ha).
- It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
Legal Status:
- It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
- It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km.
International Status:
- It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
- It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
Biodiversity:
- It is the home of the world's most one-horned rhinos.
  - Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world and second highest number of Rhinos in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
- Much of the focus of conservation efforts in Kaziranga are focused on the 'big four' species - Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger and Asiatic water buffalo.
- Kaziranga is also home to 9 of the 14 species of primates found in the Indian subcontinent.
Rivers and Highways:
- National Highway 37 passes through the park area.
- The park also has more than 250 seasonal water bodies, besides the Diphlu River running through it.