Delhi-based entrepreneur Sunita Agarwala is a travel freak. At the first possible opportunity, she and her husband Bharat Agarwala with their 10-year-old son Nirvaan pack their bags and are off to a new destination. They love wildlife. They have explored various national parks, wildlife sanctuaries across the country and even outside India. However, visiting Kaziranga National Park (KNP) was their long-cherished dream which became a reality during the vibrant festivities of Durga Puja this year.
On the afternoon of October 9, the Agarwala family reached KNP to spend their holidays amidst nature. “There was a rush of excitement as soon as we started to drive from Guwahati. The clean & fresh air, smell of petrichor was something which was taking me back to my childhood,” she told Asom Barta. “The next morning, we took a Jeep safari from Kohora, went inside the park and was awestruck by its beauty. The cherry on the cake was watching one-horned rhinos from very close quarters. It was a first and lifetime experience.”
On their return from the safari, they stopped by the river to experience the October sun and moment of tranquillity. Later in the evening, they attended a cultural programme to expose themselves to cultures & traditions of Assam & the North East. “From food to accommodation; jeep safari and culminating with the cultural evening was a very enriching experience,” she told this reporter, adding, “The trip was more than just a vacation. Rather, it was self-discovery and knowing the unknown”.
Unlike the Agarwala family, there were thousands, including actor Nimrat Kaur who went to Kaziranga this festive season to experience & explore its rich biodiversity. As per the official statistics till December 28, the number of tourists were 67,539 including 1813 foreign tourists. The total revenue of KNP till the filing of the report ₹1,74,387,60
Sonali Ghosh, Director of KNP, while speaking to this newsletter said, “This year we have focused on increasing awareness. With support from Assam Skill Development Mission, we have trained all the gypsy drivers and mahouts and given them a uniform. Through the staff welfare society, we have opened an eco-shop which is themed on wildlife.”
She added, “We have also started a number of ecotourism activities in Burapahar, the western most range and other arears.”
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Manas National Park (MNP) is also attracting visitors. Reopened on September 27 by Tourism Minister Jayanta Mallah Baruah after a hiatus of a few months, the park has seen a steady influx of tourists. Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, it boasts of a unique biodiversity. Recently, the presence of Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) was confirmed in MNP, having been captured on camera traps in 2019 and 2021.
Data shared by Director of Manas National Park C Ramesh states that till December 27, it has hosted 10,023 tourists including 327 foreigners.
Meanwhile, over 100 tourists have visited Orang National Park since its reopening on October 1. Divisional Forest Officer-Cum-Field Director Pradipta Baruah told this reporter that six tents & restaurants have been set adjacent to the Park to offer additional facilities to tourists.
Rituparna Baruah, Chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ATDCL), told this newsletter that improvement in law and order situation has significantly contributed to a thriving tourism ecosystem.
The ATDCL chairman is optimistic about increasing tourist flows not just in KNP but also in MNP, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and other parks as well, citing improvements in facilities as well. “Last year, the number of tourists increased fourfold. We are expecting a fivefold increase this year,” he said.
