GUWAHATI: Assam’s major wildlife destinations- Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Manas National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary- have recorded growth in tourist footfall, with new conservation-focused tourism initiatives being highlighted on World Tourism Day.
ALSO READ: CJP Co-Convenor, Volunteers Detained Ahead of Guwahati Meeting
According to data shared by Assam Minister for Finance, Environment & Forest, Mines & Minerals Jayanta Mallabaruah, Kaziranga recorded 4,58,618 tourists in 2025–26, up from 4,22,638 in 2024–25, marking an 8.5 per cent increase. Foreign tourist footfall also rose from 19,587 to 20,286 during the period.
The park is also expanding its tourism offerings with experiences including the Chirang Nature Trail, Hemtap Hill Trail, Englepathar–Hatikuli Cycling Trail, Kaziranga Cycling Trail at Agaratoli, Bisang-Na Eco Stay, ethnic restaurants at Choren Ahem and Xihu, and boat safaris at Bhumuragur.
Meanwhile, Manas National Park recorded 63,723 tourists in 2025–26, compared with 52,962 in 2021–22, representing a 20.3 per cent rise over four years. The number of foreign tourists increased sharply from 45 to 4,951 over the same period.
The tourism push also extends to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, which recorded 35,371 tourists in 2025–26, compared with 34,437 in 2024–25, marking a 2.7 per cent increase.
New tourism experiences being highlighted at Pobitora include an interpretation centre, an orchidarium and a souvenir shop, adding to the sanctuary’s wildlife tourism offerings.
Manas is expanding its tourism offerings with a conservation-focused approach, including regulated premium safari routes, new tourism experiences in buffer areas such as Subankhata, Bhutan Chowki and Bogamati, and opportunities for local youth to work as guides. The offerings also include community homestays, cultural experiences, interpretation and heritage centres, online ticketing and regulated visitor access.
The initiatives are aimed at linking wildlife conservation, tourism and local livelihoods, while creating new tourism circuits across Assam’s Dooars region.
The figures and initiatives were highlighted as part of World Tourism Day, observed on Sunday, September 27.
