Mallabaruah reviews Kaziranga wildlife tourism plans

way2barak, July 19: State’s Environment and Forest Minister, Jayanta Mallabaruah, has called for a radical shift in the State’s tourism strategy, urging stakeholders to adopt innovative approaches to boost tourist footfall and strengthen the regional economy.

Speaking at a high-level meeting at the Forest Convention Centre in Kohora on Saturday, the minister stated that the traditional concepts of tourism in Assam must change to meet modern demands. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Minister Keshab Mahanta, Kaziranga’s Member of Parliament Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Special Chief Secretary (Environment and Forest) MK Yadav, Chief Wildlife Warden Dr Vinay Gupta, and Kaziranga National Park Director Dr C Ramesh, along with senior civil and forest officials.

Seeking direct input from stakeholders, he highlighted a significant revenue gap. He noted that while Kaziranga attracts a similar volume of visitors as other major protected national parks in India, such as Ranthambore, its revenue collection lags far behind.

To bridge this gap, the minister proposed targeting high-end tourists who are willing to spend more for premium experiences.

“There are many high-end tourists who do not mind spending, but they require sophisticated hospitality facilities. Developing five-star hotels in Kaziranga will significantly enhance revenue collection for the State exchequer, which will directly aid in the management of the park,” the Forest Minister added.

However, he issued a strong caution regarding ecological boundaries, emphasising that tourism growth cannot come at the expense of environmental stability. He advocated for a strictly balanced approach to prevent overcrowding during jeep and elephant safaris.

“If a specific forest range reaches its maximum absorbing capacity, dynamic management systems should divert remaining visitors to other ranges within Kaziranga,” he said.

To streamline operations and accommodate long-distance travellers, Mallabaruah emphasised that a robust online booking system for both jeep and elephant safaris is a must.

The meeting also highlighted the critical balance between strict conservation and local community relations.

Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa underlined the unique habitat status of the park, warning that the core area must remain entirely undisturbed. He also outlined key regulations regarding the eco-sensitive zone framework.

Cabinet Minister Keshab Mahanta called for amicable, long-term solutions to resolve recurring friction between the Forest department and local communities.

The Environment and Forest Minister concluded by directing all local stakeholders, including the jeep safari association, hotel and resort owners, and social organisations, to submit their formal opinions and feedback to the Forest department. These insights will be analysed by the Kaziranga National Park authority and forwarded to the State government to shape the State’s future tourism policy.