Kaziranga becomes 3rd most visited national park with 35% tourist surge
Guwahati:
and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) has emerged as India's third most visited national park, behind only Periyar (Kerala) and Ranthambore (Rajasthan). The park recorded 443,636 visitors from Oct 1 last year to May 18, marking a 35% overall increase and a 25% rise in foreign tourists.
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Field director Sonali Ghosh attributed this surge to high-profile visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and over 60 Heads of Mission accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar. She highlighted the significant 18,463 foreign visitors as evidence of Kaziranga's growing reputation as a symbol of conservation and premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
"Kaziranga's tourism boom stems from diverse activities, improved infrastructure, high-profile visits, strategic marketing, successful conservation efforts, economic benefits, and the park's natural appeal," Ghosh said.
Infrastructure upgrades including better roads, eco-friendly accommodations, and enhanced visitor amenities have made the park more accessible, she said. Under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership, Kaziranga has established itself among global tourism destinations, she added, saying, "The Assam govt has prioritised
and incentivised electric safari vehicles in its recent budget."
Aggressive marketing campaigns and govt-led initiatives have promoted Kaziranga as a premier
destination, she said, adding that hosting major events such as the International Tourism Mart from Nov 26 to 29 last year also increased its global appeal.
The park's successful conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros continues to attract wildlife enthusiasts while stimulating the local economy through job creation in hospitality, transport, and handicrafts sectors.
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She highlighted that proactive efforts have promoted off-beat tourism in buffer areas: "From cycling at Laokhowa during silk-cotton tree blooms to boat safaris across the Brahmaputra and specialised birding trails, we've focused on wellness and outdoor experiences."
"A key initiative was establishing eco-shops operated by the Kaziranga Staff Welfare Society, providing markets for eco-friendly products from local Eco Development Committees," she added.
The park closes for tourists from Monday until the next tourism season.
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