Guwahati, April 3: The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has recorded the highest number of visitors during the financial year 2023-2024, with as many as 327493 tourists visiting the national park in the year.
Among them, 3,13,574 visitors are domestic tourists while 13,919 are foreign tourists. The total tourist revenue generated at the national park during the financial year stood at Rs 8,81,84,161.
According to officials, this is the highest tourist footfall during a year at KNPTR since its inception.
KNPTR comprises three administrative divisions – Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, Bishwanath Wildlife Division and Nagaon Wildlife Division.
Officials said that all the three divisions of KNPTR have experienced a significant upsurge in tourist footfall, indicating the popularity of non-conventional tourism sites.
During 2022-2023, the three administrative divisions of the park recorded a tourist footfall of 314796 visitors while the total tourist revenue generated at the national park during the financial year stood at Rs 8,33,85,483.
Reports state that during 2021-22, around 2,55,676 visitors had visited the park and the revenue generated stood at Rs 5,49,78,055.
Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and iconic inhabitants like the one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga has emerged as a top-choice destination for families and wildlife enthusiasts.
The key attractions in KNPTR during the tourism season that reopened post monsoon in mid-October 2023 were the jungle safari and elephant safari rides.
Besides, additional options for tourists to explore also ensured a substantial flow of visitors to the park.
“A trail in Karbi Anglong, trekking routes in Panbari forest range and Chirang added to the attractions. Choran-Ahem (Karbi) and Ajun Ukum (Mising) ethnic restaurants led by community representatives have gained popularity, whereas Bwisag-Na (Bodo), a women-led restaurant at Burachapori also made modest beginnings,” an official statement said.
New routes under boat safaris for dolphin watching and the Panpur and Burachapori jeep and cycling safari circuits were also made operational this year., thereby attracting more visitors to the national park.