Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: Kaziranga National Park has achieved its highest tourist attendance in history, drawing more than 5.48 lakh visitors between April 2025 and May 2026. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the milestone on Friday, highlighting a significant rise from the 4.06 lakh tourists recorded in the previous financial year.
The surge in popularity represents a four-fold increase over the past decade, with arrivals jumping from 1.55 lakh in 2016 to the current record. International interest also grew sharply, with foreign visitor numbers climbing from 17,693 to 30,474. Officials attribute this rise to increased global visibility following high-profile visits from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the King of Bhutan, and numerous international diplomats.
Sarma credited the success to a governance model that treats environmental protection as a driver for economic growth. The state has implemented several anti-poaching measures, resulting in years with zero rhino poaching incidents. Park authorities are now looking toward the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, which aims to improve regional connectivity while maintaining safe passage for wildlife.
Field Director Sonali Ghosh noted that the park's expanded range of activities has played a key role in attracting visitors. New offerings, including birding circuits, cycling trails, trekking routes at Hemtap Hill, and boat rides in Biswanath, have diversified the tourist experience. These initiatives, along with community-run eco-shops, have created new local livelihood opportunities and cemented the park's status as a premier global destination.
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