Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) of Assam has achieved a historic feat this year by welcoming 4,06,564 tourists in 2024-25 . These include 17,693 foreign tourists . This number has increased fourfold in the last decade, which shows that Kaziranga has now become a major wildlife tourist destination globally . Looking at the figures of previous years, 1,32,930 tourists came in 2014-15 , while in 2023-24 this number was 3,27,493. This year’s record-breaking number has made Kaziranga even more popular among tourists.
Tourism boosts economic development
This large number of tourists has also strengthened the local economy . According to data, Kaziranga earned Rs 10.90 crore in 2024-25 , which was only Rs 2.85 crore in 2014-15 . Local shops, hotels, restaurants and transport services have also benefited greatly from the increase in tourism . It has also created new employment opportunities in the surrounding villages , boosting economic activity in the entire region.
Tourist attractions and new initiatives
Several new initiatives have been taken to attract tourists to Kaziranga. The park is famous for its one-horned rhinoceros , tigers, elephants and diverse species of birds . New programs like the recently introduced bird safari (at Panbari) , cycling tracks at Kohora and Panpur , and boat safari at Biswanath Wildlife Division have also played a major role in increasing the number of tourists. These also promote eco-friendly tourism. Apart from this, the recent visit of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Kaziranga has also brought it into global discussion.
Government efforts and future plans
The Assam government has promoted electric safari vehicles in Kaziranga, giving priority to eco-friendly tourism . The 12th International Tourism Mart was also organized here in November 2024, giving it a new identity on the global platform. The New York Times has also included Assam and Kaziranga in the “must-see places in the world” . This shows that Kaziranga is not only a symbol of Assam’s rich biodiversity but it is now becoming a major tourist destination at the international level as well .