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Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah along with other stakeholders during high-level meeting at the Forest Convention Centre in Kohora

Kaziranga, July 19: Jayanta Mallabaruah, the State's Minister for Environment and Forest, has emphasized the need for a transformative change in the tourism strategy of the State. He urged stakeholders to implement creative methods to enhance tourist numbers and bolster the local economy.

During a significant meeting held at the Forest Convention Centre in Kohora on Saturday, the minister pointed out that Assam's conventional tourism practices must evolve to align with contemporary expectations. The gathering included notable figures such as Cabinet Minister Keshab Mahanta, Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Special Chief Secretary (Environment and Forest) MK Yadav, Chief Wildlife Warden Dr. Vinay Gupta, and Kaziranga National Park Director Dr. C. Ramesh, along with senior officials from civil and forest departments.

In his address, he sought direct feedback from stakeholders, highlighting a concerning revenue disparity. He remarked that although Kaziranga draws a visitor count comparable to other prominent national parks like Ranthambore, its revenue generation is significantly lower.

To address this issue, the minister suggested focusing on affluent tourists who are inclined to spend more for exclusive experiences.

“There exists a segment of high-end tourists willing to invest, but they expect upscale hospitality services. Establishing five-star accommodations in Kaziranga could greatly boost the State's revenue, which would directly support park management,” the Minister stated.

Nevertheless, he cautioned against compromising ecological integrity, stressing that tourism expansion should not jeopardize environmental health. He advocated for a carefully managed approach to avoid overcrowding during jeep and elephant safaris.

“If a particular forest range reaches its visitor capacity, effective management strategies should redirect excess visitors to other areas within Kaziranga,” he advised.

To facilitate operations for long-distance visitors, Mallabaruah underscored the necessity of a comprehensive online booking system for jeep and elephant safaris.

The meeting also addressed the essential balance between stringent conservation efforts and maintaining positive relations with local communities.

Kaziranga MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa emphasized the park's unique habitat, cautioning that the core area must remain completely untouched. He also discussed important regulations concerning the eco-sensitive zone framework.

Cabinet Minister Keshab Mahanta called for constructive, long-term solutions to address ongoing tensions between the Forest department and local residents.

In conclusion, the Environment and Forest Minister instructed all local stakeholders, including the jeep safari association, hotel and resort proprietors, and community organizations, to provide their formal feedback to the Forest department. This feedback will be reviewed by the Kaziranga National Park authority and submitted to the State government to inform future tourism policies.