Assam’s Kaziranga National Park gives warm welcome to tourists

Guwahati – With the beginning of the tourist season, the Kaziranga National Park has officially been opened for tourists, and preparations are in full swing to ensure that visitors get an enriching experience.

The Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which has been declared an UNESCO world heritage site, is a prominent centre of eco-tourism in the Northeast. The park, home to some rare species like one-horn rhinos and wild elephants, attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world every year.

This year, the park was officially opened for tourists on November 1. Assam’s Forest Minister Rockeybul Hussain inaugurated the Elephant and Jeep Safari in the Mihimukh area under Kohora forest range of the park.

“People have started coming from different parts of the state and also from abroad after we opened the park for national and international tourist. I am here with some of my foreign friends. We hope that with the cooperation of everyone it will boost tourism this time with the opening of the park along with the Orang and Manas parks,” said Hussain.

Around 300 local and foreign tourists visited the park on the first day of its reopening.

The park has made provisions for jeep and elephant safari rides which give the tourists a glimpse of the various species of flora and fauna.

The visitors also get to enjoy the scenic beauty of adjoining Karbi Anglong and nearby villages.

“Yesterday, we went on a jeep safari and we really enjoyed it. We could see elephants, rhinos, deer and birds. Today we are expecting to go on an elephant safari. It’s a very nice place,” said Delphen, a tourist from France.

The elephant and vehicle owners, along with the park authorities have made elaborate preparations to provide an enjoyable experience to the visitors. The forest department has added two more elephants, and the Jeep Safari Association, Kohora has added 10 more jeeps to meet the demand during peak season. Measures are also being taken to curb poaching.

“As compared to last year, many tourists have come here even before the opening of the park. Inspite of difficulties, we hope that more tourists will come here this year,” said Pobitra Gogoi.

The park is a popular tourist destination and it provides employment to many people. The decline of militancy has paved way for a greater influx of tourists, both from within and outside the country.