Guwahati: Kaziranga National Park, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Centres and a popular tourist attraction in Assam, witnessed over one crore visitors from the year 2022-2023, the highest annual footfall since 2016, as revealed by tourism minister Jayanta Mallabaruah in the Assam assembly earlier this year.
In an exclusive business conversation with Business North East (BNE) Sonali Ghosh shared new initiatives to advance tourism in Kaziranga, home to over 500 species of birds, including the black-necked stork and the great Indian hornbill.
The excerpts of which are as follows:
BNE: Assam witnessed over one crore tourists in 2022-23. What is the footfall this year?
Sonali Ghosh: Over one crore tourists visited Assam last year. Among them, almost three and a half lakh tourists visited the park. These are the ones we recorded. However, several others may have visited without being officially recorded. So, I would expect at least double the number this year.
BNE: How much does tourism contribute to the overall revenue of Kaziranga National Park?
Sonali Ghosh: Tourism brings multiple benefits, especially for local communities. Many Kaziranga fringe communities depend on tourism for their livelihood—through jeep safaris, resorts, homestays, and more. Apart from that, the revenue we receive from entry fees—around Rs 200 per person—is crucial. It enables us to use these funds for park development, including road repairs, upgrading infrastructure, and supporting communities.
BNE: Are you expecting the revenue to exceed last year’s?
Sonali Ghosh: Yes. We opened the park in October this year, and by the end of November, we had already welcomed almost 50,000 tourists. This surge in visitors has been unprecedented.
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BNE: Regarding infrastructure, are there any new initiatives this year?
Sonali Ghosh: Absolutely. The International Tourism Mart in Kaziranga highlights the revamped tourism infrastructure, particularly by Assam Tourism. All Assam Tourism properties have been renovated and modernized to offer a better experience for visitors. Additionally, several new homestays and resorts have come up, ensuring there is no shortage of accommodations for tourists.
BNE: How does the park’s tourism model support local communities and small businesses?
Sonali Ghosh: As I mentioned, local communities heavily depend on the National Park for six months of the year. Nearly every tourism-related activity in Kaziranga involves the local communities. For instance, around 700 jeeps owned by locals are used for jungle safaris. Similarly, private elephant owners offer elephant safaris. Communities also manage homestays, restaurants, and the broader hospitality sector to ensure that tourism benefits them directly.
BNE: What strategies are employed to promote Kaziranga as a global wildlife tourism destination?
Sonali Ghosh: Kaziranga is one of Assam’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, alongside Manas and Charaideo. This recognition itself creates significant buzz. The International Tourism Mart is another important promotional platform. With over 300 delegates, including many from foreign countries, tour operators, and business stakeholders, it provides an excellent opportunity to promote Kaziranga globally.
BNE: What do you hope to achieve from this publicity?
Sonali Ghosh: The International Tourism Mart has brought together over 300 delegates, including foreign tour operators and business peers, to explore opportunities in the tourism sector. This organized initiative will help us tap into new markets and boost tourism in Kaziranga.
BNE: How much investment was required for the International Tourism Mart?
Sonali Ghosh: This is a collaborative venture involving the Central Government, the Ministry of Tourism, Assam Tourism, and related departments. Our contribution mainly includes providing jungle safari experiences and other park-related activities.
BNE: What new facilities are available this year at Kohora and Kanchenjuri?
Sonali Ghosh: Kaziranga now spans four districts and 1,300 square kilometres. We are promoting lesser-known areas, such as two new cycling routes—one in the Agoratoli (eastern range) and another in Burapahar (westernmost range). We’ve also started an elephant safari in Burhachapori Laokhowa and jungle safaris in the Biswanath area. The boat safari, where visitors can see dolphins up close, has also gained popularity. Our goal is to offer visitors a wholesome experience.
BNE: Please share the most recent census numbers for rhinos, elephants, and tigers.
Sonali Ghosh: We use phased and scientific methods for population estimation. In 2022, the rhino population was estimated at 2,613. There are around 1,200 elephants and 104 tigers in the landscape.
BNE: What technologies are used for these censuses?
Sonali Ghosh: We use advanced scientific methods. We employ camera traps for tigers, as each tiger’s stripe pattern is unique—like human fingerprints. The captured images are analyzed using software to identify individual tigers. Similarly, well-established methodologies are used for rhinos and elephants.
BNE: Reportedly, Assam has recorded an 86% drop in rhino poaching since 2016. How was this achieved?
Sonali Ghosh: This has been a remarkable collective effort driven by strong political will, particularly by the Honorable Chief Minister of Assam. Collaboration between departments, especially the police and forest teams, has been critical. Proactive measures have significantly reduced poaching in Kaziranga.
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BNE: Are there any new initiatives in Kaziranga this year?
Sonali Ghosh: Yes, and we invite everyone to visit! This year, we’ve introduced our Eco Shop, offering over 80 wildlife-themed products crafted by local communities. Items range from coffee mugs to calendars, T-shirts, handcrafted stools, and more. Visitors are sure to enjoy this unique shopping experience.
BNE: Lastly, has the ongoing war between Israel and Ukraine impacted foreign tourism?
Sonali Ghosh: Quite contrary, we’ve seen an impressive number of foreign tourists this year, particularly in October and November. This is unusual since foreign tourists typically visit during Christmas or January. Over 1,500 foreign tourists have already visited, with a noticeable increase in German tourists. Organized group tours seem to have effectively tapped into this market.
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