Kaziranga National Park in Assam, renowned for its one-horned rhinoceroses, achieved record revenue of ₹8.8 crore in financial year 2023-24, the highest amount in its 50-year history. The surge is attributed to a significant increase in tourist numbers, with 3,27,493 visitors, including 13,919 foreigners, The Statesman newspaper reported.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site’s diverse attractions, such as jungle and elephant safaris, have greatly enhanced the visitor experience. As reported by the website Northeast Today, the introduction of cycling trails in Karbi-Anglong and trekking routes in the Panbari forest range and Chirang are attracting many visitors.
Ethnic restaurants, such as Choran-Ahem (Karbi) and Ajun Ukum (Mising), led by community representatives, have also gained popularity with tourists. Bwisag-Na, a Bodo women-led restaurant with modest beginnings at Burachapori, has added to the park’s culinary diversity. Additionally, new safari circuits and dolphin watching boat safaris have been introduced.
The post-monsoon tourism season, which commenced in mid-October, witnessed a surge in attractions such as jungle and elephant safaris.
Kaziranga’s administrative divisions—Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bishwanath Wildlife Division, and Nagaon Wildlife Division—all saw substantial growth in tourism and revenue, highlighting the park’s rising popularity as an eco-tourism destination.
Brief history
The Kaziranga Proposed Reserve Forest was set up in an area of 232 sq km spread across Sibsagar and Nagaon districts in 1905 on the orders of Lord Curzon, a controversial British viceroy of India, after his wife Mary, Baroness Curzon of Kedleston, visited the area, renowned for rhinoceroses, in 1904 and failed to spot a single one. She then persuaded her husband that it was important to conserve the magnificent animal. The reserve forest was eventually notified in 1908 with the addition of 152 sq km up to the River Brahmaputra. Eight years later, it was redesignated the Kaziranga Game Sanctuary and remained so until 1938 when hunting within the park was prohibited.
In 1954, the state government passed the Assam (Rhinoceros) Bill, which imposed heavy penalties for poaching rhinos. On February 11, 1974, the Government of India declared the 430 sq km area a national park. In 1985, the Kaziranga National Park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique natural environment.Today, the park is home to over 2,600 rhinos, as per the latest census. It also hosts Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, wild buffalo, and swamp deer.
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