Assam has recorded the highest tourist footfall in the history of the Kaziranga National Park and the state government has attributed it to the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. With more and more talk about luxury hotels being proposed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora has defended the government's development plans, saying that better infrastructure is needed to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Bora, speaking in Guwahati, said Kaziranga has seen an unprecedented rise in domestic and international tourists this year, with the need for additional accommodation and tourism facilities.
"We are seeing a record number of tourists visiting Kaziranga this time, both domestic and international. The influx of tourists this year, compared to previous years, is the highest ever," Bora said.
Why Assam is Building Hyatt And Taj Hotels?
The increase in visitor numbers led the state government to approve two premium hospitality projects—a Hyatt hotel and a Taj hotel—to further develop tourism in Kaziranga, the minister said.
Bora explained that the land identified for the Hyatt project belonged to the government. But he also admitted that the nearby Hathikhuli Tea Estate had previously cultivated a part of the land and asked for a portion of it to be used.
"The government agreed and even gave them the land that they sought," Bora said, and despite the settlement, some groups continued to oppose the projects.
He said those people tried to block development by creating unnecessary controversies over land.
The infrastructure of tourism is growing wider than hotels.
Apart from luxury hotels, the Assam government has launched various tourism initiatives in order to make Kaziranga a year-round destination.
The Minister also highlighted the newly developed International Orchid Park inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as a key new attraction showcasing Assam's rich floral diversity.
Considering the historical importance of Assam's tea industry, the government is also setting up three Tea Museums in the Kaziranga region through the Labour Welfare Department. Land has already been identified and allotted for these projects.
These activities are aimed at diversifying tourism experiences beyond wildlife safaris and creating employment and growing the local economy, Bora said.
Land dispute Still Stalks
The proposed hotel projects are causing debate in the area of land allocation in Kaziranga.
But Bora said the government had acted transparently and resolved the concerns raised by the Hathikhuli Tea Estate by providing alternative land.
He said development and conservation could cohabit if taken care of.
Kaziranga's Growing Global Appeal
With the world's largest population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, Kaziranga National Park has become one of India’s premier wildlife tourism destinations in recent years. Improved road connectivity, improved safari facilities, conservation efforts, and high-profile visits have significantly increased its global visibility.
The state government believes that investments in hospitality, cultural attractions, and heritage tourism will further strengthen Assam’s position as one of India’s fastest-growing tourism destinations.
Bora ended by saying that the government’s priority is development and preserving the ecological interest of the region.
"What do I want? I want development. That is precisely why the people have supported me," he said.
