Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Achintya Barua, a trailblazing figure in Northeast India's eco-tourism sector and the founder of the iconic Wild Grass Resort, passed away on May 18 at the age of 74. He died while being transported to a hospital in Bokakhat for medical treatment.
Born on January 23, 1952, to Birinchi Kumar Barua and Santi Chayya Barua, Achintya—affectionately known as "Monju da"—received his education at St. Mary's School in Guwahati, St. Edmund's School in Shillong, and St. Stephen's College in New Delhi. He is widely credited with placing Kaziranga National Park on the global tourism map, having introduced sustainable wildlife tourism to the region when it was still largely inaccessible to international visitors.
Beyond his resort operations, Barua was a dedicated conservationist who championed local community empowerment. He actively mentored youth in the Kaziranga area, creating numerous employment opportunities in guiding, hospitality, and transportation, while simultaneously launching training programs to foster local involvement in environmental protection.
His influence extended to regional policy, most notably when he persuaded former Assam Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia to open the state's doors to international tourism. The wildlife and tourism fraternity has expressed deep sorrow over his passing, honoring his legacy as a storyteller, mentor, and steadfast protector of Assam's natural heritage.
Comments