Assam Governor Praises Efforts of Van Durgas in Kaziranga National Park

Governor's Visit to Kaziranga National Park

Guwahati, Sept 30: During a recent visit to Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR), Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya commended the bravery and commitment of the Van Durgas, who play a crucial role in wildlife protection.

Accompanied by First Lady Kumud Devi, the Governor explored the UNESCO World Heritage site, praising the dedication of the Van Durgas in maintaining the park's ecological balance.

Entering through the Bagori Range, he enjoyed a jeep safari, immersing himself in the park's diverse ecosystem.

While reviewing ongoing wildlife protection efforts, he also had the opportunity to interact closely with elephants, feeding them sugarcane.

The Governor highlighted the significant infrastructural improvements made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, following his visit to Kaziranga in March 2024.

These advancements have not only enhanced tourism but have also solidified Kaziranga's reputation as a vital ecological and cultural World Heritage Site.

The Van Durgas, comprising female frontline forest staff, are essential in preserving the biodiversity of KNPTR, which is recognized as India's seventh UNESCO World Heritage Site.

According to KNPTR Director Sonali Ghosh, with the tourism season kicking off, visitors can once again enjoy the park's stunning wildlife, including the famous one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, elephants, and a variety of bird species.

The official tourism season runs from October to mid-May, as the park is closed during the monsoon months of June to September due to flooding.

In the 2024-25 season, KNPTR recorded an unprecedented 4,06,564 visitors, including 17,693 international tourists.

Ghosh noted that the total number of visitors has quadrupled over the past decade, with foreign tourists now making up 4.5% of the total.

Additionally, Kaziranga has seen a remarkable 21.19% increase in revenue for the fiscal year 2024-25 compared to the previous year, earning over Rs 10.90 crore.

The park officially reopened to tourists on September 26, marking the start of the 2025-26 tourism season.