Guwahati (Assam) [India], May 19 (ANI): Assam’s Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve has emerged as the third most visited national park in India, recording an all-time high in tourist footfall this year. The park witnessed a significant rise in foreign tourists, with a 25 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
According to the authority of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, the park recorded 4,43,636 visitors between October 1, 2024, and May 18, 2025, indicating an overall increase of over 35 per cent since last year. The number of foreign tourists (18,463) was especially notable, indicating the World Heritage site’s growing popularity among tourists and wildlife enthusiasts.
Spread over 1,300 sq km across four districts of Assam, Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve is renowned for its diverse landscapes and wildlife. It features several wetlands and includes two Important Bird Areas (IBAs) significant for waterbirds — Kaziranga National Park and Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Home to the “Big Five,” Kaziranga hosts 2,613 Greater one-horned Rhinoceroses (as of the 2022 census), 104 Bengal Tigers (2022), over 1,228 Asian Elephants projected for 2024, 2,565 Wild Water Buffalos (2022), and 1,129 Eastern Swamp Deer (2022).
Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, stated that this year Kaziranga witnessed over 4.43 lakh visitors, including more than 18,000 foreign tourists, marking a 35 per cent increase from last year. She noted that Kaziranga has now become the third most visited national park in the country, generating over Rs 11 crore in revenue this season.
Official data shows that in 2014-15, Kaziranga National Park had 1,32,930 visitors, including 7,994 foreign tourists. In 2023-24, the park welcomed 3,28,305 visitors, including 14,817 foreign tourists. This year (2024-25), saw a footfall of 4,25,173 Indian and 18,463 foreign tourists.
Kaziranga has diversified its attractions, including bird watching, trekking, boat tourism, dolphin viewing, cycling tracks, and safaris in adjacent reserves. Visits by prominent figures such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and over 60 Heads of Mission during the Advantage Assam 2.0 event in February 2025 boosted the park’s visibility.
The surge in tourism has positively impacted the local economy, generating employment and supporting hospitality, transport, and handicraft businesses. The establishment of Eco-shops by the Kaziranga Staff Welfare Society has also facilitated the promotion of eco-friendly products.
Additionally, the park authority has promoted off-beat tourism in the buffer areas, including cycling at Laokhowa amid silk-cotton tree blooms, boat safaris across the Brahmaputra, and specialized birding trails, focusing on wellness and outdoor tourism. (ANI)
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