Assam forest minister reopens Kaziranga National Park for tourists

Accompanied by state Agriculture minister Atul Bora, chairman of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Jayanta Malla Baruah and other top officials of state forest department, Assam forest and environment minister Pramila Rani Brahma on Monday opened the world heritage site for the 2017-18 tourist season.

Cutting the ceremonial red ribbon, the Assam forest minister said that, this year the state forest department has opened the tourist season by one month advance.

Pramila Rani Brahma said that, many roads inside the park, which are used by the tourists to go jeep safari are yet to be repaired, which were damaged in the last flood.

“But we have reopened two ranges under the park for both domestic and foreign tourists,” Brahma said.

“The park always attracts both domestic and foreign tourists and we hope maximum tourists will arrive here this year to see world famous one horned rhinoceros,” the Assam forest minister said.

Over 300 wild animals including 31 rhinos were died in the world heritage site in this year flood.

Earlier, the park opened for the tourists between November and April and the park usually remains closed between May and September every year due to flood.

On the other hand, the park director Satyendra Singh said that, the damaged roads repairing are continuing hope it will be completed within short period.

“Now jeep safari will be allowed only in Kohora and Bagori ranges of the park and elephant safari will be allowed only in Kohora range,” the park director said.

On the other hand, another home ground for rhinos, Pobitora wildlife sanctuary also reopened for the tourists on Monday.

MLA of Jagiroad assembly constituency Pijyush Hazarika accompanied with BJP MLA Ramakanta Deuri and other dignitaries reopened the wildlife sanctuary.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)