Tourists flock to Kaziranga despite unrest

The famous Kaziranga National Park is getting a rush of tourists this season after the sanctuary was thrown open to visitors early November. "We are getting a steady stream of tourists from all over the country and abroad and we hope to set new records this season," park warden Utpal Bora said. The 430 sq-km park, a World Heritage Site, was opened to visitors Nov 1 and would remain open till March-end. Kaziranga is home to 1,855 of the world's estimated 2,700 one-horned rhinoceros. "We are getting tourists from Germany and the US, besides some from Britain. By next month, the rush will be more," the warden said. Last season, Kaziranga attracted 77,000 tourists including 5,000 foreigners. "Nobody returns from Kaziranga unhappy. One is sure to sight dozens of rhinos during safaris on elephant backs, besides a variety of other animals and birds," park ranger D.D. Boro said. Despite the recent wave of bombings in Assam by separatists, the tourist flow has not been affected. "There is no impact to the bombings. We are getting requests for bookings from tourists in large numbers from all over the world," Bora said.

Apart from several government-run accommodations, a number of resorts and decent lodging facilities have come up in recent years, managed by local entrepreneurs. "Business is really good during the six month season and our resorts and other private accommodations are always packed," said Arun Das, a young man who runs two guesthouses close to the park. For a majority of the locals, Kaziranga is the source of their livelihood. "At least a hundred youths are into the transportation business running jeeps for wildlife safaris, besides many who have set up roadside eateries and lodging facilities," said T. Sarma, another local youth. And for the tourists, Kaziranga is a paradise on earth. "Apart from the warm hospitality, one never gets disappointed after entering the park. It is a delight to watch the rhinos grazing just meters away from you," said Robert Crook, a British tourist. Today Kaziranga is not only dubbed the rhino country but it boasts of elephants, bison, deer, sloth bears as well as an occasional tiger and leopard, besides a large variety of birds.

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