Early morning elephant safari in Central Kohora range! Spotted a mother rhino and her baby grazing right by the elephant grass. Unforgettable sight 🦏🌾
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Planning a 7-day backpacking circuit: Kaziranga -> Majuli -> Ziro Valley. Any homestay recommendations run by local families? 🎒🏕️
View Full Discussion →Birdwatching update from Bagori waterbodies: Huge flock of migratory bar-headed geese and spot-billed pelicans sighted this week! 🦅📷
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📇 Verified Businesses (8)
View Directory →Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
TRAVENTURE BUDDY
<p>TRAVENTURE BUDDY: Your Gateway to Unforgettable Assam Experiences</p> <p>Nestled in the heart of Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India, TRAVENTURE BUDDY is a dynamic and innovative travel company dedicated to providing authentic and immersive experiences throughout Assam and the surrounding region. In a landscape increasingly seeking sustainable and culturally rich tourism, TRAVENTURE BUDDY distinguishes itself by focusing on personalized itineraries, responsible travel practices, and genuine connections with local communities. We're not just selling tours; we're crafting memories that last a lifetime, contributing to the growth of local economies, and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of Assam. Our presence is particularly significant in the Assam business landscape, as we champion responsible tourism and offer a unique alternative to mass-market tours, appealing to discerning travelers seeking deeper and more meaningful experiences.</p> <br> <br> <p>At the heart of TRAVENTURE BUDDY lies a commitment to showcasing the diverse beauty and cultural richness of Assam. Our core services are built around curated travel experiences designed to cater to a wide range of interests and preferences. These include:</p> <br> <br> <ul> <li><b>Customized Itineraries:</b> We specialize in crafting tailor-made travel plans that align perfectly with individual interests, budgets, and timeframes. Whether a client seeks an adventurous trek through lush rainforests, a peaceful retreat in a tea garden, or an exploration of ancient temples, we create bespoke journeys that exceed expectations.</li> <li><b>Cultural Immersion Tours:</b> Our cultural immersion tours provide authentic insights into the traditions, art, music, and cuisine of Assam's diverse communities. We work closely with local artisans, performers, and families to offer travelers meaningful opportunities for interaction and learning.</li> <li><b>Wildlife Safaris and Eco-Tours:</b> Assam is renowned for its rich biodiversity, and we offer expertly guided wildlife safaris and eco-tours to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, including Kaziranga National Park, home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. We prioritize responsible wildlife tourism, ensuring minimal impact on the environment and contributing to conservation efforts.</li> <li><b>Homestay Experiences:</b> We provide opportunities to stay in locally-owned homestays, offering travelers a chance to experience the warm hospitality of Assamese families and gain a deeper understanding of local life.</li> </ul> <br> <br> <p>What sets TRAVENTURE BUDDY apart is our unwavering commitment to responsible tourism, our deep local expertise, and our dedication to providing exceptional customer service. We prioritize sustainability by supporting local businesses, minimizing our environmental impact, and promoting cultural preservation. Our team comprises experienced travel professionals who possess an in-depth knowledge of Assam and its surrounding areas, enabling us to create authentic and enriching experiences. We also offer multi-lingual support, ensuring seamless communication and personalized attention for every traveler. These combined factors create a unique selling point for TRAVENTURE BUDDY, appealing to conscious travelers seeking authentic and sustainable travel experiences.</p> <br> <br> <p>Customer satisfaction is paramount at TRAVENTURE BUDDY. We strive to create a personalized and memorable experience for every traveler. Our approach to customer service is built on three core principles: responsiveness, attentiveness, and genuine care. We promptly respond to inquiries, provide detailed information and advice, and go the extra mile to ensure that every aspect of the trip is seamless and enjoyable. We believe in building lasting relationships with our customers, fostering a sense of community and encouraging repeat business. We regularly solicit feedback to continuously improve our services and ensure that we are meeting the evolving needs of our customers. By actively engaging with the local community through responsible tourism initiatives, we create a symbiotic relationship that benefits both our customers and the people of Assam. We participate in local festivals, support community-based tourism projects, and promote local handicrafts, contributing to the economic and cultural well-being of the region.</p> <br> <br> <p>Looking ahead, TRAVENTURE BUDDY envisions becoming the leading provider of sustainable and authentic travel experiences in Northeast India. Our future plans include expanding our range of tour offerings to encompass emerging destinations and niche interests, such as tea tourism, adventure sports, and wellness retreats. We are also investing in technology to enhance the customer experience, including a user-friendly online platform and mobile app. Furthermore, we are committed to strengthening our partnerships with local communities, empowering them to participate in the tourism industry and benefit from its growth. We aim to create a positive impact on the environment and society, promoting responsible tourism practices and contributing to the long-term sustainability of the region. Our long-term goal is to position TRAVENTURE BUDDY as a responsible and innovative leader in the tourism industry, showcasing the beauty and cultural richness of Assam while preserving its natural heritage for future generations. We aspire to be more than just a travel company; we want to be a catalyst for positive change, fostering economic development, promoting cultural understanding, and protecting the environment.</p>
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
Arya Eco Resort, Pobitora
Arya Eco Resort, Pobitora: A Sanctuary of Sustainability and Assam's Untamed Beauty Arya Eco Resort, Pobitora, stands as a testament to responsible tourism and a celebration of Assam's rich biodiversity. Nestled near the famed Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, often dubbed "Mini Kaziranga" for its high density of Indian rhinoceros, the resort offers a unique and immersive experience that blends comfortable accommodations with a commitment to ecological preservation and community engagement. Unlike conventional hotels, Arya Eco Resort is deeply rooted in sustainable practices and strives to minimize its environmental impact while simultaneously contributing to the socio-economic well-being of the surrounding villages. The resort's significance lies not just in providing a tranquil escape, but in fostering environmental awareness and supporting the conservation efforts vital to protecting Pobitora's unique ecosystem. It represents a growing trend in the Assam tourism sector, catering to discerning travelers who seek authentic experiences and prioritize ethical and sustainable travel choices. <br> <br> The core of Arya Eco Resort's offerings revolves around providing comfortable and ecologically responsible accommodation options. These range from traditionally styled cottages that reflect the local architecture to well-appointed rooms designed to minimize energy consumption. Beyond accommodation, the resort provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to enhance the visitor's experience of Pobitora and Assam. These include guided tours of the wildlife sanctuary led by experienced and knowledgeable local guides, nature walks that delve into the region's flora and fauna, and opportunities to engage with the local community through cultural performances and village visits. <br> <br> A key differentiator for Arya Eco Resort is its unwavering commitment to sustainability. This is evident in its use of locally sourced materials in construction, its reliance on renewable energy sources wherever possible, and its implementation of waste management and water conservation practices. Furthermore, the resort actively promotes responsible tourism by educating guests about the importance of conservation and encouraging them to adopt eco-friendly habits during their stay. The resort also boasts a farm-to-table dining experience, sourcing fresh produce from local farmers and minimizing its carbon footprint. This commitment to sustainability is a major selling point, attracting environmentally conscious travelers who are increasingly seeking destinations that align with their values. By directly supporting local communities through employment and procurement, Arya Eco Resort contributes to the economic empowerment of the region, creating a symbiotic relationship between tourism and local development. <br> <br> At Arya Eco Resort, customer experience is paramount. The staff is dedicated to providing personalized service and ensuring that each guest feels welcomed and cared for. The resort prides itself on its ability to create a warm and authentic atmosphere, allowing visitors to connect with the local culture and environment on a deeper level. The team are almost exclusively recruited from local villages and are trained not only in hospitality but also in environmental awareness and cultural sensitivity. This ensures that guests receive informed and respectful guidance throughout their stay. <br> <br> The resort actively engages with the local community through various initiatives, such as supporting local schools and healthcare facilities, participating in conservation projects, and promoting local handicrafts. These efforts not only strengthen the resort's ties to the community but also enhance the visitor's experience by providing opportunities to interact with local people and learn about their traditions and way of life. The resort strives to create a mutually beneficial relationship, ensuring that tourism contributes to the well-being of the community while preserving its cultural heritage. This approach not only differentiates Arya Eco Resort from other accommodations but also fosters a sense of responsibility and shared purpose among guests and staff alike. <br> <br> Looking ahead, Arya Eco Resort envisions becoming a leading example of sustainable tourism in Assam, setting a benchmark for responsible hospitality practices. Future plans include expanding its accommodation capacity while maintaining its commitment to low-impact development. The resort also aims to develop more immersive and educational programs focused on wildlife conservation and local culture, further enriching the visitor experience. A key long-term goal is to establish a training center for sustainable tourism practices, empowering local communities to develop their own eco-tourism initiatives and contribute to the economic growth of the region. <br> <br> Moreover, Arya Eco Resort seeks to collaborate with local conservation organizations and government agencies to strengthen the protection of the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas. This includes supporting anti-poaching efforts, promoting sustainable land management practices, and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation. By playing an active role in conservation efforts, Arya Eco Resort aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of its operations and contribute to the preservation of Assam's natural heritage for future generations. The vision is to not only provide a memorable experience for visitors but also to create a lasting positive impact on the environment and the community. Ultimately, Arya Eco Resort aspires to be more than just a place to stay; it strives to be a catalyst for sustainable development and a guardian of Assam's natural treasures.
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
Brahmaputra Calling!
<p><b>Brahmaputra Calling!: Unveiling Assam's Treasures to the World</b></p> <p>Nestled in the heart of Guwahati, Assam, Brahmaputra Calling! is more than just a business; it's a vibrant gateway to the rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking natural beauty of Northeast India. We are a specialized tourism and cultural experience provider dedicated to showcasing the authentic essence of Assam, offering curated journeys that resonate with discerning travelers seeking unique and immersive encounters. In a region often overlooked by mainstream tourism, Brahmaputra Calling! stands out by prioritizing sustainable practices, supporting local communities, and providing unparalleled access to Assam's hidden gems.</p> <br> <br> <p>Our core strength lies in crafting bespoke travel itineraries that go beyond the typical tourist trail. We offer a diverse portfolio of services, including:</p> <ul> <li><b>Curated Tours:</b> We design thematic tours focusing on various aspects of Assamese culture, wildlife, and adventure. These include tea garden tours showcasing the art of tea making, wildlife safaris in Kaziranga National Park (home to the one-horned rhinoceros), river cruises along the mighty Brahmaputra, and cultural immersion experiences in tribal villages.</li> <li><b>Homestays and Eco-Lodges:</b> We partner with local families and eco-conscious accommodations to provide authentic and sustainable lodging options that immerse travelers in the local way of life. This fosters cultural exchange and contributes directly to the economic well-being of the communities we work with.</li> <li><b>Cultural Experiences:</b> We arrange interactive workshops and demonstrations featuring traditional Assamese crafts, cuisine, music, and dance. These experiences offer a deeper understanding of Assam's heritage and provide opportunities for guests to connect with local artisans and performers.</li> <li><b>Customized Itineraries:</b> We understand that every traveler has unique interests and preferences. Our team works closely with clients to create personalized itineraries that cater to their specific needs and ensure an unforgettable journey.</li> <li><b>Corporate Retreats & Team Building:</b> We design unique corporate events incorporating elements of Assamese culture and adventure, fostering collaboration and team spirit amidst the serene landscape.</li> </ul> <p>Our unique selling proposition lies in our unwavering commitment to authenticity, sustainability, and community engagement. We prioritize ethical tourism practices that minimize environmental impact and maximize benefits for local communities. We work with experienced local guides who possess in-depth knowledge of the region's history, culture, and natural environment. This ensures that our guests receive accurate information and gain a genuine appreciation for Assam's unique identity. Furthermore, our commitment to using locally sourced products and services helps to support the local economy and promote sustainable development.</p> <br> <br> <p>At Brahmaputra Calling!, we believe that exceptional customer service is paramount. We strive to create a warm and welcoming environment for our guests, ensuring that their needs are met with professionalism and care. From the moment they make their inquiry to the completion of their journey, our team is dedicated to providing personalized attention and seamless support. We actively solicit feedback from our guests and use it to continuously improve our services. Our commitment to building strong relationships with local communities is reflected in the positive feedback we receive from our partners and the long-lasting memories we create for our guests. We actively participate in local festivals and events, showcasing Assamese culture to a wider audience and fostering a sense of pride within the community.</p> <br> <br> <p>Looking ahead, Brahmaputra Calling! envisions becoming the leading provider of authentic and sustainable tourism experiences in Northeast India. We plan to expand our network of partner homestays and eco-lodges, further enhancing our commitment to community-based tourism. We are also exploring opportunities to develop new and innovative tour packages that cater to emerging travel trends, such as wellness tourism and adventure travel. Furthermore, we are committed to investing in training and development programs for our local guides and staff, ensuring that they possess the skills and knowledge necessary to provide world-class service. We are also actively working on creating partnerships with international tourism organizations to promote Assam as a premier travel destination. Our long-term goal is to contribute to the sustainable development of the region, preserving its rich cultural heritage and natural environment for future generations to enjoy. We aim to be a catalyst for responsible tourism, inspiring travelers to connect with Assam in a meaningful way and make a positive impact on the local communities.</p>
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
Zisuku Villa & Resort
<p>Zisuku Villa & Resort: A Sanctuary of Tranquility in the Heart of Assam</p> <br> <br> <p>Nestled amidst the lush landscapes of Guwahati, Assam, Zisuku Villa & Resort offers a premium hospitality experience, blending modern comfort with the serene beauty of the region. More than just a place to stay, Zisuku is designed as a destination – a tranquil escape where guests can reconnect with nature, rejuvenate their senses, and experience the authentic charm of Assamese culture. In a region known for its burgeoning tourism sector, Zisuku distinguishes itself through its commitment to personalized service, sustainable practices, and a deeply rooted connection to the local community. By offering a unique blend of luxury and authenticity, Zisuku Villa & Resort aims to redefine hospitality standards within Guwahati and become a preferred destination for both domestic and international travelers.</p> <br> <br> <p>At the heart of Zisuku's offerings lies a diverse range of services tailored to meet the needs of discerning travelers. Accommodation options include exquisitely designed villas that offer privacy and exclusivity, along with well-appointed resort rooms that provide unparalleled comfort. Each space is meticulously crafted to create a harmonious blend of modern amenities and traditional Assamese aesthetics, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. Beyond accommodation, Zisuku boasts a multi-cuisine restaurant that serves a delectable array of local Assamese delicacies alongside international favorites, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The resort also features a state-of-the-art spa and wellness center, offering a range of rejuvenating treatments designed to promote relaxation and well-being.</p> <br> <br> <p>What sets Zisuku apart is its commitment to providing immersive experiences that showcase the unique beauty and cultural richness of Assam. Guests can participate in guided tours of nearby tea gardens, explore the vibrant local markets, or embark on wildlife safaris to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Zisuku also offers cultural performances that showcase traditional Assamese music and dance, providing guests with an authentic and unforgettable cultural experience. These unique selling points not only cater to the growing demand for experiential travel but also contribute to the sustainable development of the local community by supporting local artisans, farmers, and cultural performers. By offering a holistic and immersive travel experience, Zisuku addresses the evolving needs of the modern traveler seeking authenticity and connection.</p> <br> <br> <p>Customer experience is paramount at Zisuku Villa & Resort. Every interaction is carefully orchestrated to ensure that guests feel valued, respected, and cared for. From personalized check-in procedures to attentive concierge services, the staff at Zisuku are dedicated to exceeding expectations. The resort prides itself on its warm and welcoming atmosphere, where guests are treated as individuals rather than just room numbers. To enhance guest satisfaction, Zisuku actively seeks feedback and continuously strives to improve its services based on guest preferences. The resort also fosters strong relationships with the local community by sourcing products and services from local businesses, creating employment opportunities, and supporting local initiatives. This commitment to community engagement not only enriches the guest experience but also contributes to the sustainable development of the region. By creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, Zisuku aims to foster long-term relationships with its guests and become a trusted brand synonymous with exceptional hospitality.</p> <br> <br> <p>Looking ahead, Zisuku Villa & Resort envisions a future of sustained growth and expansion, building upon its reputation as a premier hospitality destination in Guwahati. Future plans include expanding the resort's accommodation capacity to meet the increasing demand for luxury travel in the region. The resort also intends to introduce new and innovative services, such as adventure tourism packages, eco-tourism initiatives, and wellness retreats, catering to a wider range of traveler interests. Furthermore, Zisuku aims to strengthen its commitment to sustainable practices by implementing eco-friendly technologies and promoting responsible tourism. By investing in its infrastructure, expanding its service offerings, and embracing sustainable practices, Zisuku Villa & Resort is poised to become a leading force in the Assam hospitality industry, contributing to the economic growth and cultural preservation of the region. The long-term goal is to establish Zisuku as a benchmark for excellence in hospitality, recognized for its commitment to customer satisfaction, community engagement, and environmental sustainability.</p>
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
Madhumita's Homestay
Madhumita's Homestay: A Sanctuary of Assamese Hospitality in Guwahati Madhumita's Homestay offers an authentic and immersive experience of Assam, nestled in the heart of Guwahati. More than just a place to stay, it's a portal to the rich culture, traditions, and warm hospitality that define this vibrant region of India. In a city increasingly dominated by generic hotel chains, Madhumita's Homestay provides a refreshing alternative, catering to discerning travelers seeking genuine connection and personalized service. We aim to be a significant contributor to Assam's burgeoning tourism sector by showcasing the unique charm and beauty of the state to a global audience, providing an income source for local communities through employment and collaborations. Our commitment extends to promoting sustainable tourism practices that respect the environment and preserve Assam's cultural heritage. <br> <br> At its core, Madhumita's Homestay provides comfortable and welcoming accommodation designed to reflect the traditional Assamese aesthetic. Our rooms are thoughtfully furnished with local materials and handcrafted details, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Beyond the rooms themselves, we offer a range of services designed to enhance our guests' experience. This includes home-cooked meals featuring authentic Assamese cuisine, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Guests can savor the flavors of the region, from the tangy Masor Tenga (fish sour curry) to the comforting Khar (alkaline dish). <br> <br> What truly distinguishes Madhumita's Homestay is the emphasis on personalized experiences. We offer guided tours of Guwahati and its surrounding areas, including visits to the Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, and the Assam State Museum. We can also arrange excursions to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses. Furthermore, we facilitate cultural interactions, such as opportunities to learn traditional Assamese weaving, participate in Bihu dance workshops, or attend local festivals. This hands-on approach allows guests to deeply engage with the local culture and create lasting memories. Our unique selling point lies in offering these curated experiences, going beyond basic accommodation to provide a holistic and enriching journey. This resonates with a market increasingly seeking authentic travel experiences and a desire to connect with the local culture. <br> <br> Customer service at Madhumita's Homestay is rooted in genuine care and attention to detail. We strive to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere where guests feel like part of the family. From the moment they arrive, they are greeted with genuine smiles and personalized assistance. We take the time to understand their individual needs and preferences, tailoring our services to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay. We believe in building lasting relationships with our guests, fostering a sense of community and belonging. We actively engage with the local community by sourcing products and services from local artisans and businesses. We also participate in community events and initiatives, demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility. By fostering these connections, we not only enhance the guest experience but also contribute to the well-being of the local community. Positive word-of-mouth referrals are a testament to the effectiveness of this approach, forming a vital part of our marketing strategy. <br> <br> Looking ahead, Madhumita's Homestay envisions becoming a leading provider of authentic Assamese hospitality, recognized for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and cultural preservation. We plan to expand our services to include more curated experiences, such as culinary tours, tea garden visits, and opportunities to learn about Assamese medicinal plants. We also aim to develop partnerships with local organizations to promote responsible tourism practices and support community development initiatives. This may include offering training programs for local youth in hospitality and tourism, empowering them to participate in the growing tourism sector. <br> <br> Furthermore, we are exploring the possibility of expanding our physical presence, adding more rooms and facilities to accommodate the growing demand for our unique brand of hospitality. This expansion will be carefully planned to ensure that it remains true to our core values and does not compromise the intimate and personalized atmosphere that defines Madhumita's Homestay. We intend to utilize technology to enhance the guest experience, such as online booking platforms, virtual tours, and digital information resources. However, we will always prioritize human interaction and maintain a personal touch in our service delivery. Ultimately, our long-term goal is to create a sustainable and thriving business that not only provides exceptional hospitality but also contributes to the economic and social well-being of Assam. By staying true to our roots and embracing innovation, we believe that Madhumita's Homestay will continue to flourish and serve as a beacon of Assamese hospitality for years to come.
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
Mawing resort
Mawing Resort: A Sanctuary of Tranquility in the Heart of Assam Nestled amidst the lush green landscapes surrounding Guwahati, Mawing Resort offers a unique blend of serenity and modern hospitality, making it a premier destination for both leisure and business travelers in the region. Unlike typical hotels concentrated in the city center, Mawing Resort capitalizes on its strategic location to provide an escape from the urban bustle while remaining easily accessible. Its distinctive architectural design, inspired by traditional Assamese aesthetics, coupled with contemporary amenities, distinguishes it within the local hospitality sector. Mawing Resort strives to contribute to the growing tourism industry in Assam by showcasing the region's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. <br> <br> At the heart of Mawing Resort's offerings lies a commitment to providing a holistic and enriching experience. The resort boasts a range of meticulously designed accommodation options, from well-appointed rooms offering panoramic views to luxurious suites catering to discerning guests. These spaces are designed to evoke a sense of calm and relaxation, featuring comfortable furnishings and modern conveniences. Beyond accommodation, Mawing Resort presents a diverse array of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clientele. A key highlight is the on-site restaurant, which showcases authentic Assamese cuisine alongside popular Indian and international dishes, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. This focus on local produce supports regional farmers and provides guests with a genuine taste of Assam. Additionally, the resort offers comprehensive event facilities, including spacious banquet halls and meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology, making it an ideal venue for corporate events, weddings, and social gatherings. The resort also features recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and curated nature walks, allowing guests to rejuvenate and connect with the surrounding environment. The unique selling proposition lies in the combination of world-class amenities with an authentic Assamese experience, something often missing in standard hotel chains. Mawing Resort addresses the growing demand for experiential travel, providing a sanctuary where guests can immerse themselves in the region's culture and natural beauty. <br> <br> Customer satisfaction is paramount at Mawing Resort, and this is reflected in every aspect of the guest experience. The resort emphasizes personalized service, with a dedicated team of well-trained staff committed to anticipating and exceeding guest expectations. From the moment a guest arrives, they are greeted with warm hospitality and attentive service, ensuring a seamless and memorable stay. The resort actively seeks feedback from guests to continuously improve its services and offerings. This commitment to customer-centricity extends beyond individual interactions to encompass a genuine connection with the local community. Mawing Resort actively supports local artisans and businesses by showcasing their products and services within the resort. The resort also participates in community initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the region's cultural heritage. By fostering strong relationships with local communities, Mawing Resort creates a more enriching experience for guests while contributing to the economic and social well-being of the region. Regular cultural programs are organized to showcase the rich traditions of Assam, further immersing guests in the local culture. <br> <br> Mawing Resort envisions becoming a leading destination for sustainable and culturally immersive tourism in Northeast India. Future plans include expanding its accommodation capacity to cater to the growing influx of tourists to the region, while maintaining its commitment to environmental sustainability. The resort also intends to further develop its wellness offerings, incorporating traditional Assamese healing practices and Ayurvedic therapies to provide guests with a truly rejuvenating experience. Investment in eco-friendly technologies and practices is a key priority, aiming to minimize the resort's environmental footprint and promote responsible tourism. Long-term goals include establishing Mawing Resort as a recognized brand synonymous with quality, sustainability, and authentic Assamese hospitality. The resort aims to play a vital role in promoting tourism to Assam, contributing to the region's economic growth and showcasing its unique cultural heritage to the world. Future expansions may include partnering with local tour operators to offer curated excursions to nearby attractions, such as Kaziranga National Park and Majuli Island, further enriching the guest experience and promoting regional tourism.
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
The Ecotel Guwahati
<p>The Ecotel Guwahati, nestled in the heart of Assam’s vibrant capital, Guwahati, is more than just a hotel; it’s an experience steeped in sustainable practices and authentic Assamese hospitality. Recognizing the growing demand for eco-conscious travel and a deeper connection to the local culture, The Ecotel Guwahati has positioned itself as a leader in responsible tourism within the region. Unlike conventional hotels, it strives to minimize its environmental footprint while simultaneously showcasing the rich traditions and natural beauty of Assam. This commitment resonates particularly well in a state increasingly aware of the importance of preserving its unique ecosystems and cultural heritage.</p> <br> <br> <p>At the core of The Ecotel Guwahati’s offerings lies a commitment to providing comfortable and enriching stays. Its primary services encompass well-appointed accommodations designed with sustainable materials and energy-efficient appliances. These rooms offer a haven of tranquility, allowing guests to relax and rejuvenate after exploring the wonders of Assam. Beyond accommodation, the hotel provides a curated selection of experiences that delve into the local culture. These include guided tours of nearby tea gardens, offering insights into the region's famous beverage, and excursions to Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its rhino population. The hotel also organizes cultural performances featuring traditional Assamese music and dance, providing guests with an immersive understanding of the state's artistic heritage. A key unique selling point is the hotel’s farm-to-table dining experience. The on-site restaurant sources its ingredients from local farmers and its own organic garden, ensuring freshness and supporting the local agricultural community. This dedication to sustainability and authenticity directly addresses the needs of environmentally conscious travelers and those seeking genuine cultural immersion, a rapidly growing segment of the market in Guwahati.</p> <br> <br> <p>The customer experience at The Ecotel Guwahati is built upon the principles of personalized service and genuine connection. The staff is trained to anticipate guest needs and provide attentive assistance, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. What truly distinguishes the Ecotel Guwahati is its dedication to engaging with the local community. The hotel actively supports local artisans and businesses, showcasing their products in its gift shop and incorporating their expertise into guest experiences. For example, guests might participate in a traditional Assamese cooking class led by a local chef or learn weaving techniques from skilled artisans. The Ecotel Guwahati also partners with local organizations to promote environmental conservation and community development initiatives. This active involvement fosters a sense of pride among the staff and strengthens the hotel's connection to the community, creating a more meaningful experience for guests who seek to contribute positively to the region during their stay. The hotel also meticulously gathers feedback and uses it to iteratively improve the guest experience, ensuring that the offerings remain relevant and exceed expectations.</p> <br> <br> <p>Looking towards the future, The Ecotel Guwahati envisions expanding its role as a leading advocate for sustainable tourism in Assam. Future plans include increasing the hotel's reliance on renewable energy sources, such as solar power, and implementing water conservation measures to further minimize its environmental impact. There is also a plan to broaden the range of eco-tourism experiences offered, potentially including birdwatching tours, nature walks, and visits to local villages to learn about traditional lifestyles. Another key goal is to establish a training program for local youth in hospitality and sustainable tourism practices, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to contribute to the growing tourism industry in a responsible manner. The long-term vision is to establish The Ecotel Guwahati as a model for sustainable tourism development in the region, inspiring other businesses to adopt environmentally friendly practices and contributing to the preservation of Assam's natural and cultural heritage. By consistently delivering exceptional experiences, fostering community engagement, and remaining steadfast in its commitment to sustainability, The Ecotel Guwahati aims to become synonymous with responsible and authentic travel in Northeast India.</p>
Resorts📍 Kamrup Metro
Moon Hill Homestay
<p>Moon Hill Homestay: A Sanctuary of Tranquility in Guwahati</p> <br> <br> <p>Nestled amidst the verdant hills surrounding Guwahati, Moon Hill Homestay offers a unique and authentic Assamese hospitality experience. Beyond simply providing accommodation, Moon Hill Homestay strives to be a gateway to the region's rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm community. In a region increasingly embracing tourism, Moon Hill distinguishes itself through its commitment to sustainable practices, personalized service, and deep connection to the local environment. We aim to be more than just a place to stay; we aim to be a memorable and enriching part of our guests' Assam journey, contributing positively to the local economy and showcasing the true spirit of the region.</p> <br> <br> <p>Our core service revolves around providing comfortable and culturally immersive accommodation. We offer a range of rooms, each thoughtfully designed to blend modern comfort with traditional Assamese aesthetics. Guests can choose from standard rooms offering essential amenities to more spacious family suites with private balconies overlooking the surrounding hills. What truly sets us apart is the curated experience we provide. This includes offering guests homemade Assamese meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients, providing insightful guided tours of nearby attractions, and facilitating interactions with local artisans and craftspeople. Our "Assam Discovery Package," for example, combines comfortable lodging with a customized itinerary featuring visits to tea gardens, Kaziranga National Park, and local craft villages, offering a holistic exploration of the region. We cater to both leisure travelers seeking relaxation and adventure, as well as business travelers looking for a peaceful and convenient base from which to operate. We also provide specialized services such as airport transfers, laundry facilities, and reliable Wi-Fi access to ensure a seamless and hassle-free stay.</p> <br> <br> <p>At Moon Hill Homestay, we believe that exceptional customer service is paramount. Our team is dedicated to creating a welcoming and personalized experience for every guest. From the moment they arrive, guests are greeted with genuine warmth and attentiveness. We take pride in anticipating their needs and going the extra mile to ensure their comfort and satisfaction. Our staff are not just employees; they are local residents who possess a deep understanding of the region and are passionate about sharing its stories and traditions with our guests. We actively encourage feedback and use it to continually improve our services and offerings. We foster a strong connection with the local community by sourcing our produce and employing local talent, ensuring that our business directly benefits the surrounding villages. We also participate in local initiatives, such as supporting local schools and promoting sustainable tourism practices, demonstrating our commitment to responsible business operations. This engagement fosters a sense of trust and goodwill within the community, enhancing the overall experience for our guests and strengthening our roots in the region. Furthermore, we actively promote local culture through traditional music and dance performances held on the premises, providing our guests with a vibrant and authentic cultural immersion.</p> <br> <br> <p>Looking ahead, Moon Hill Homestay envisions becoming a leading eco-tourism destination in Guwahati. We aim to expand our accommodation options to include eco-friendly cottages and glamping sites, further minimizing our environmental footprint. We are actively exploring opportunities to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar power, into our operations. A key aspect of our future plans involves developing specialized wellness programs centered around traditional Assamese healing practices and yoga retreats, catering to the growing demand for holistic travel experiences. We also intend to establish partnerships with local conservation organizations to support their efforts in protecting the region's biodiversity and promoting sustainable tourism. We plan to launch a comprehensive online platform that showcases our offerings, highlights local attractions, and facilitates seamless booking processes. Our long-term goal is to create a sustainable and thriving business that not only provides exceptional hospitality but also contributes significantly to the economic and social well-being of the local community and promotes the preservation of Assam's unique cultural heritage. Ultimately, we aspire for Moon Hill Homestay to be recognized as a model for responsible and sustainable tourism in the region, inspiring others to adopt similar practices and contribute to a brighter future for Assam.</p>
📰 News & Reports (6)
All News →Tourism•6d ago
Northeast Tourism Boom: Mizoram Up 139%, Assam Leads Domestic, Sikkim Wins Foreign Visitors
<p>Northeast India's tourism sector is in the middle of a genuine boom, with tourist footfall across the region doubling in FY 2024-25 and states including Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim posting over 100% year-on-year growth. The surge is now drawing serious hospitality investment — including an ₹800-crore, ten-property expansion roadmap from hotel group Palacio — even as the region's states diverge sharply in who they're actually attracting: Assam dominates on sheer domestic visitor volume, while Sikkim has pulled ahead on foreign arrivals.</p> <h2>Background</h2> <p>For years, the Northeast sat at the margins of India's tourism map, often overshadowed by better-connected and more heavily marketed destinations elsewhere in the country. That has shifted markedly over the past two years, driven by a combination of improved transport connectivity, dedicated government promotion, and — increasingly — private hospitality investment betting on the region's long-term growth. Mizoram's numbers illustrate the scale of the shift most sharply: the state recorded 0.52 million tourist arrivals in 2024-25, a 139.5% jump, making it one of the fastest-growing tourism markets anywhere in India.</p> <p>All eight Northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura — are now part of this growth story to varying degrees, spearheaded by a combination of heritage hotel revivals, new hospitality development, and a dedicated central government scheme to develop Buddhist pilgrimage circuits across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, including interpretation centres, improved connectivity and pilgrim amenities.</p> <h2>Key Details</h2> <ul> <li><b>Regional footfall growth:</b> Tourist arrivals across the Northeast doubled in FY 2024-25 compared to the prior year, with Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim each recording over 100% growth.</li> <li><b>Mizoram's surge:</b> 0.52 million tourist arrivals in 2024-25, a 139.5% year-on-year increase.</li> <li><b>Hospitality investment:</b> Hotel group Palacio launched its second Guwahati property in May 2026 and announced an ₹800-crore (approximately $87 million) expansion roadmap to develop 10 new properties across the Northeast over the next decade.</li> <li><b>Government infrastructure push:</b> A dedicated Buddhist circuit development scheme covering six Northeastern states is funding pilgrimage interpretation centres, better connectivity, and pilgrim amenities.</li> <li><b>Assam's domestic dominance:</b> Assam recorded 46.04 lakh domestic tourist visits between January and June 2026, well ahead of Sikkim's 23.52 lakh over the same period.</li> <li><b>Sikkim's foreign-visitor lead:</b> Sikkim recorded 43,734 foreign tourist visits between January and June 2026, ahead of Assam's 32,471 — making Sikkim the Northeast's leading state for international arrivals despite trailing badly on domestic numbers.</li> <li><b>Sikkim's overall pace:</b> Sikkim received 1,060,665 total tourists between January and May 2026 (1,030,363 domestic, 30,302 foreign) — already more than 62% of its full 2025 annual total in just five months, putting the state on track for a new annual record.</li> </ul> <h2>At a Glance</h2> <table> <tr><th>State / Metric</th><th>Jan–Jun 2026 Domestic Visits</th><th>Jan–Jun 2026 Foreign Visits</th><th>Standout Stat</th></tr> <tr><td>Assam</td><td>46.04 lakh</td><td>32,471</td><td>Region's clear leader in domestic footfall</td></tr> <tr><td>Sikkim</td><td>23.52 lakh</td><td>43,734</td><td>Region's leader in foreign tourist arrivals</td></tr> <tr><td>Mizoram</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>139.5% YoY growth in 2024-25; 0.52 million total arrivals</td></tr> </table> <h2>Local Impact</h2> <p>For Assam, particularly Guwahati as the region's primary transit and hospitality hub, the boom is translating directly into new investment — Palacio's ₹800-crore, decade-long expansion plan is a concrete signal that hospitality operators see durable, long-term demand growth in the state and the wider region, not a short-term spike. Assam's dominant domestic tourist numbers also mean the state's existing tourism infrastructure — hotels, transport, guide services — is under sustained high-volume demand, which should continue supporting local tourism-sector employment and small business revenue around key sites like Kaziranga and Guwahati's temple and river-front attractions.</p> <p>For Sikkim, the state's outsized foreign-visitor draw relative to its smaller domestic base suggests a differentiated market position — likely tied to its established trekking, high-altitude and Buddhist-heritage tourism appeal, which tends to attract a more international visitor profile than Assam's broader domestic circuit. For Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, triple-digit percentage growth off a smaller base signals these states are now credibly entering the region's tourism mainstream after years on its margins, though their absolute visitor numbers remain well below Assam's and Sikkim's.</p> <h2>What Happens Next</h2> <p>With Sikkim already tracking toward a new annual tourism record and Assam maintaining its domestic-volume lead, the second half of 2026 will show whether the growth pace holds through the peak autumn-winter tourism season, when Kaziranga's safari reopening (from 1 October) and Durga Puja season (18-21 October) typically drive a fresh wave of visitors to Assam specifically. Palacio's ₹800-crore expansion plan will also be one to watch as a bellwether for whether other hospitality operators follow with their own Northeast investment commitments over the coming years.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>How much has Northeast India's tourism grown recently?</h3> <p>Tourist footfall across the region doubled in FY 2024-25, with Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim each recording over 100% year-on-year growth.</p> <h3>Which state has grown the fastest?</h3> <p>Mizoram, with 0.52 million tourist arrivals in 2024-25, a 139.5% year-on-year increase — among the fastest-growing tourism markets in India.</p> <h3>Which state gets the most domestic tourists?</h3> <p>Assam, with 46.04 lakh domestic visits between January and June 2026, well ahead of Sikkim's 23.52 lakh over the same period.</p> <h3>Which state gets the most foreign tourists?</h3> <p>Sikkim, with 43,734 foreign visits between January and June 2026, ahead of Assam's 32,471.</p> <h3>What major hospitality investment has been announced?</h3> <p>Hotel group Palacio launched its second Guwahati property in May 2026 and announced an ₹800-crore roadmap to build 10 new properties across the Northeast over the next decade.</p> <h3>Is the government supporting this growth?</h3> <p>Yes — a dedicated scheme is developing Buddhist pilgrimage circuits across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, funding interpretation centres, connectivity and pilgrim amenities.</p> <h3>Is Sikkim on track for a record tourism year?</h3> <p>Yes — Sikkim received over 1.06 million tourists between January and May 2026 alone, already more than 62% of its full 2025 annual total.</p> <h3>What's driving this regional tourism surge overall?</h3> <p>A combination of improved transport connectivity, dedicated government promotion and infrastructure schemes, and growing private hospitality investment betting on sustained long-term demand growth.</p> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[ {"@type":"Question","name":"How much has Northeast India's tourism grown recently?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Tourist footfall across the region doubled in FY 2024-25, with Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim each recording over 100% year-on-year growth."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Which state has grown the fastest?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Mizoram, with 0.52 million tourist arrivals in 2024-25, a 139.5% year-on-year increase."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Which state gets the most domestic tourists?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Assam, with 46.04 lakh domestic visits between January and June 2026."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Which state gets the most foreign tourists?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Sikkim, with 43,734 foreign visits between January and June 2026, ahead of Assam's 32,471."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What major hospitality investment has been announced?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Hotel group Palacio launched its second Guwahati property in May 2026 and announced an Rs 800-crore roadmap to build 10 new properties across the Northeast over the next decade."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Is the government supporting this growth?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, a dedicated scheme is developing Buddhist pilgrimage circuits across six Northeastern states, funding interpretation centres, connectivity and pilgrim amenities."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Is Sikkim on track for a record tourism year?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, Sikkim received over 1.06 million tourists between January and May 2026 alone, already more than 62% of its full 2025 annual total."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What's driving this regional tourism surge overall?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A combination of improved transport connectivity, dedicated government promotion and infrastructure schemes, and growing private hospitality investment."}} ]} </script> <h2>Sources</h2> <p>Travel And Tour World, EastMojo, Business Today, The Sentinel (Assam), and Global Asset Solutions (HICSA 2026 coverage).</p>
Read Full Story →News•6d ago
Kaziranga Reopens Oct 1 With Zero Poaching to Its Name — But Its Corridors Are Under Threat
<p>Kaziranga National Park's jeep safari season reopens on 1 October 2026, with elephant safaris following from 1 November, as the park heads into a new tourist season carrying a genuine conservation milestone: zero recorded rhino poaching incidents in 2025, part of a broader run of zero poaching years that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted on World Rhino Day 2026. But even as the state celebrates that success, conservationists and a Supreme Court-appointed panel say illegal mining and construction continue to erode the very wildlife corridors that keep Kaziranga's ecosystem connected to the surrounding Karbi Anglong hills.</p> <h2>Background</h2> <p>Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam, is home to roughly 80% of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population, making it arguably the single most important site on the planet for the species' survival. That status has made rhino poaching the park's highest-profile conservation challenge for decades, driven by international demand for rhino horn. In response, Assam has built a multi-layered anti-poaching security system around Kaziranga — dedicated anti-poaching camps, drone surveillance and specialised protection teams — that has now delivered a run of zero-poaching years, most recently confirmed for 2025 and cited in the International Rhino Foundation's State of the Rhinos 2026 report.</p> <p>Separately, but just as consequential for the park's long-term ecological health, Kaziranga depends on a set of designated wildlife corridors — nine of them, identified and protected under a 2019 Supreme Court order — that link the park to the adjoining Karbi Anglong hills. These corridors allow animals, most critically elephants, to move seasonally between the floodplain park and higher ground, a movement pattern that becomes essential during the annual monsoon floods that submerge large parts of Kaziranga. The Supreme Court's 2019 order banned mining along the park's southern boundary and prohibited new construction on private land within the nine identified corridors specifically to preserve this connectivity.</p> <h2>Key Details</h2> <ul> <li><b>Safari reopening:</b> Jeep safaris resume from 1 October 2026; elephant safaris resume from 1 November 2026, marking the start of the new tourist season after the monsoon closure.</li> <li><b>Poaching record:</b> Assam recorded zero rhino poaching incidents in 2025, a milestone CM Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted on World Rhino Day 2026, noting Assam's rhino population represents close to 80% of the world total.</li> <li><b>Corridor threat, historical:</b> Conservationist Rohit Choudhury first petitioned over unregulated quarrying and mining around Kaziranga in 2012, documenting 60 illegal stone quarries at the time.</li> <li><b>Supreme Court order:</b> In 2019, the Supreme Court banned mining along Kaziranga's southern boundary and barred new construction on private land within the nine identified animal corridors.</li> <li><b>Renewed violations, 2026:</b> Choudhury has since petitioned the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) again in 2026, alleging illegal construction is taking place in two of the nine protected wildlife corridors, in violation of the 2019 order.</li> <li><b>Official confirmation:</b> In a letter dated 3 March 2026 addressed to Assam's Chief Secretary, the CEC stated that mining and related activities were continuing in the Karbi Anglong hills despite the Supreme Court's directions, and asked the Assam government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) to take matching preventive measures.</li> <li>According to Choudhury, mining activity in the area has "resumed on a large scale" even as the legal proceedings and CEC interventions continue.</li> </ul> <h2>At a Glance</h2> <table> <tr><th>Issue</th><th>Status</th></tr> <tr><td>Rhino poaching, 2025</td><td>Zero recorded incidents (confirmed conservation success)</td></tr> <tr><td>Assam's share of world's rhino population</td><td>~80%</td></tr> <tr><td>Jeep safari reopening</td><td>1 October 2026</td></tr> <tr><td>Elephant safari reopening</td><td>1 November 2026</td></tr> <tr><td>Wildlife corridors under Supreme Court protection</td><td>9, since 2019 order</td></tr> <tr><td>Corridors currently flagged for illegal construction (2026 petition)</td><td>2</td></tr> <tr><td>CEC letter to Assam Chief Secretary on continued mining</td><td>3 March 2026</td></tr> </table> <h2>Local Impact</h2> <p>For Assam's tourism sector, the reopening of jeep and elephant safaris arrives with a genuinely strong conservation story to tell visitors — a park that hosts 80% of the world's rhinos and has now gone poaching-free, a message the state government is actively promoting. Local guides, resort operators, transport providers and the broader tourism economy around Kaziranga's entry points typically see a significant seasonal uptick in activity once safaris reopen each October.</p> <p>But the corridor mining issue carries a different, longer-horizon risk. If elephant and other wildlife movement between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong hills is progressively blocked by construction and quarrying, the park's ability to function as a viable ecosystem — rather than an isolated, fenced reserve — is threatened, particularly given how central that hill-corridor access is during monsoon flooding, when animals need higher ground to survive. For communities in the Karbi Anglong hills near the affected corridors, the mining activity itself may represent local livelihood and revenue, creating the same tension between economic activity and conservation enforcement that has made this a recurring, difficult-to-resolve issue since Choudhury's original 2012 petition.</p> <h2>What Happens Next</h2> <p>With the CEC having formally flagged continued mining to the Assam Chief Secretary in March 2026 and Choudhury's fresh 2026 petition alleging construction in two specific corridors, the matter remains under active Supreme Court panel oversight. Expect continued CEC correspondence with the state government and the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council pressing for enforcement action, alongside the possibility of further legal proceedings if violations are confirmed to be ongoing. Meanwhile, the park's tourist season proceeds on its normal calendar, with jeep safaris open from 1 October and elephant safaris from 1 November, independent of how the corridor enforcement issue is resolved.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>When do Kaziranga's safaris reopen for the 2026-27 season?</h3> <p>Jeep safaris reopen 1 October 2026, and elephant safaris reopen 1 November 2026.</p> <h3>Has Kaziranga really had zero rhino poaching?</h3> <p>Yes, according to state and conservation data — Assam recorded zero rhino poaching incidents in 2025, a milestone confirmed in the International Rhino Foundation's State of the Rhinos 2026 report and highlighted by Assam's Chief Minister on World Rhino Day 2026.</p> <h3>What share of the world's rhinos live in Assam?</h3> <p>Close to 80% of the world's greater one-horned rhino population, mostly concentrated in Kaziranga National Park.</p> <h3>What are Kaziranga's wildlife corridors, and why do they matter?</h3> <p>Nine designated corridors, protected under a 2019 Supreme Court order, that connect Kaziranga to the adjoining Karbi Anglong hills, allowing animals — especially elephants — to move to higher ground, which is critical during the annual monsoon floods that submerge much of the park.</p> <h3>What did the 2019 Supreme Court order say?</h3> <p>It banned mining along Kaziranga's southern boundary and prohibited new construction on private land within the nine identified wildlife corridors.</p> <h3>Is that order being violated?</h3> <p>Conservationist Rohit Choudhury petitioned the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee in 2026 alleging illegal construction in two of the nine corridors, and the CEC itself wrote to Assam's Chief Secretary on 3 March 2026 confirming that mining activity was continuing in the Karbi Anglong hills despite the court's directions.</p> <h3>Who is Rohit Choudhury?</h3> <p>A conservationist and legal-rights activist who first petitioned over illegal quarrying and mining around Kaziranga in 2012, documenting 60 illegal stone quarries at the time, and who continues to monitor and legally challenge encroachment on the park's protected corridors.</p> <h3>What is the Central Empowered Committee (CEC)?</h3> <p>A Supreme Court-appointed panel that oversees compliance with the court's environmental and forest-protection orders, including the 2019 order protecting Kaziranga's wildlife corridors.</p> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[ {"@type":"Question","name":"When do Kaziranga's safaris reopen for the 2026-27 season?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Jeep safaris reopen 1 October 2026, and elephant safaris reopen 1 November 2026."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Has Kaziranga really had zero rhino poaching?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes, Assam recorded zero rhino poaching incidents in 2025, confirmed in the International Rhino Foundation's State of the Rhinos 2026 report."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What share of the world's rhinos live in Assam?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Close to 80% of the world's greater one-horned rhino population, mostly in Kaziranga National Park."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What are Kaziranga's wildlife corridors, and why do they matter?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Nine designated corridors, protected under a 2019 Supreme Court order, connecting Kaziranga to the Karbi Anglong hills, allowing animals to move to higher ground during monsoon floods."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What did the 2019 Supreme Court order say?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It banned mining along Kaziranga's southern boundary and prohibited new construction on private land within the nine identified wildlife corridors."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Is that order being violated?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Conservationist Rohit Choudhury petitioned the Central Empowered Committee in 2026 alleging illegal construction in two corridors, and the CEC itself confirmed continued mining to Assam's Chief Secretary in March 2026."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Who is Rohit Choudhury?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A conservationist and legal-rights activist who first petitioned over illegal quarrying around Kaziranga in 2012 and continues to monitor encroachment on the park's protected corridors."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Central Empowered Committee?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"A Supreme Court-appointed panel that oversees compliance with the court's environmental and forest-protection orders."}} ]} </script> <h2>Sources</h2> <p>The Assam Tribune, Northeast Now, Deccan Herald, The Federal, and Punjab Kesari, with reference to the International Rhino Foundation's State of the Rhinos 2026 report.</p>
Read Full Story →News•Aug 31
Kaziranga's CWRC Turns 25: 10,000+ Animals Rescued, 68% Released Back to Wild
<p>The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), based at Panbari near Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, marked 25 years of operation on August 28, 2026, having responded to more than 10,000 wildlife rescue cases since its founding in 2002 — with nearly 68 percent of rescued animals successfully treated and released back into the wild. The milestone was marked with statements from the Assam Forest Department, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the three organisations that jointly run the facility.</p> <h2>Background</h2> <p>CWRC was established on August 28, 2002, as India's first dedicated facility built specifically for hand-raising, treating and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wild animals with the explicit goal of eventually returning them to their natural habitat, rather than housing them permanently in captivity. The centre emerged from a recognised gap in India's wildlife management infrastructure: Kaziranga and the wider Brahmaputra floodplain regularly produce large numbers of orphaned or injured animals, particularly during the annual monsoon flood season, when rising water forces animals to swim for higher ground, separates calves from mothers, and leaves many creatures injured, exhausted or stranded — but until CWRC's founding, Assam had no dedicated facility equipped to treat and rehabilitate these animals at scale rather than simply documenting flood-season wildlife casualties.</p> <p>Over its 25 years, the centre has treated and worked toward release for an extraordinarily broad range of species — 357 distinct wildlife species in total, according to the milestone figures released this year, spanning everything from rhino and elephant calves down to clouded leopards, hog deer, otters, and numerous bird species. This breadth of species coverage is itself part of what distinguishes CWRC from many wildlife rescue operations globally, which often specialise in a narrower range of species; CWRC's location adjacent to one of India's most biodiverse protected landscapes has effectively required it to build veterinary and rehabilitation expertise across an unusually wide taxonomic range.</p> <p>The centre's founding also reflected a broader shift in Indian wildlife conservation thinking around the turn of the millennium, away from a purely protectionist model — focused on preventing poaching and habitat loss within park boundaries — toward a more interventionist model that actively treats and rehabilitates individual injured or orphaned animals rather than allowing nature to take its course once an animal is separated from its group or habitat. This shift was not without debate within conservation circles at the time, since intensive individual-animal rehabilitation is resource-intensive relative to habitat protection work, and some conservationists have historically argued that funds are better spent on preventing the underlying causes of animal distress — poaching, habitat fragmentation, and inadequate flood-season escape routes for wildlife — than on treating the resulting casualties after the fact. CWRC's 25-year survival and expansion suggests its specific model has found sustained institutional and donor support despite this ongoing debate within the wider field.</p> <h2>Key Details</h2> <p>Marking the 25-year milestone, Kaziranga Field Director Dr. C Ramesh, an officer of the Indian Forest Service, described CWRC's contribution to rescuing and rehabilitating Assam's wildlife as "invaluable," specifically highlighting the centre's ability to respond quickly to animals in distress — a capability built around the centre's dedicated rescue ambulances and round-the-clock veterinary on-call staffing. WTI Joint Director Rathin Barman characterised the centre's 25-year journey as one "built on compassion, science and partnership," while CWRC Centre Manager Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury described the centre's evolution as shaped by "continuous learning, scientific approaches and community participation" — a framing that positions CWRC's growth over 25 years as an ongoing institutional learning process rather than a fixed operating model applied unchanged since 2002.</p> <p>The centre's most prominent long-term conservation achievement has been its role in rhino reintroduction: since 2006, CWRC has worked to reintroduce hand-raised rhino calves into Manas National Park specifically — a park that had lost its own rhino population to poaching during a period of civil unrest in the region, making CWRC's hand-raised calves a direct contribution to rebuilding a locally extinct population rather than simply supplementing an already-healthy one. Twenty-one rhino calves have been successfully reintroduced through this programme since the first calf's release in 2006. On elephants, the centre has rescued 29 elephant calves over the years — chiefly during floods and other separation incidents — with 12 successfully returned to the wild, reflecting the particular difficulty of reintroducing elephant calves, which in the wild typically depend on complex herd social structures that are harder to replicate or reintegrate into than is the case for more solitary species like rhinos.</p> <p>Operationally, CWRC now runs two Mobile Veterinary Service units covering both eastern and western Assam, extending its rescue reach well beyond the immediate vicinity of Kaziranga itself and into other forest divisions across the state. This mobile capability matters particularly during the flood season, when the centre's dedicated flood-response operations routinely rescue and treat more than 700 animals in a single monsoon season — a caseload that, spread across just a few monsoon months, dwarfs the centre's typical non-flood-season rescue volume and requires the kind of rapid-deployment ambulance and field-veterinary capacity CWRC has built up specifically to handle seasonal surges rather than a steady, predictable year-round caseload. Beyond rhinos and elephants, the centre's ongoing conservation programmes include Asiatic black bear rehabilitation, wild buffalo rescue operations, and hoolock gibbon rehabilitation — India's only ape species, found in the Northeast, and a species whose rehabilitation presents distinct behavioural and social challenges compared to the ground-dwelling mammals that make up the bulk of the centre's caseload. Hoolock gibbons in particular pose a rehabilitation challenge distinct from most of CWRC's other work: as brachiating, canopy-dwelling primates that live in monogamous family units and depend on continuous forest canopy to move between trees, a hand-raised gibbon calf cannot simply be released into any patch of forest — it requires habitat with sufficiently intact canopy connectivity and, ideally, reintegration support that accounts for the species' complex social bonding, making gibbon rehabilitation one of the more specialised and slower-developing programmes within CWRC's broader portfolio relative to the more established rhino and elephant protocols the centre has refined over two decades.</p> <p>The 68 percent successful release rate cited for the full 25-year period is itself a meaningful benchmark in wildlife rehabilitation, a field where release rates vary enormously by species, age at rescue, and severity of injury — a rate approaching seven in ten treated animals successfully returning to the wild, sustained across 357 species and 10,000-plus individual cases over a quarter century, represents a substantial base of accumulated veterinary and behavioural rehabilitation expertise rather than a result achievable through good intentions or funding alone.</p> <p>That said, an aggregate rate averaged across a quarter century and 357 species inevitably masks considerable variation by species and case type. A young, otherwise healthy rhino or elephant calf separated from its mother during a flood — a case where the animal's only real problem is the separation itself rather than injury or illness — is a considerably more favourable rehabilitation case than, say, a severely injured adult of a less-studied species with no established reintroduction protocol. The centre's own figures on rhinos (21 successful reintroductions since 2006) and elephants (12 of 29 rescued calves released) illustrate this variation directly: rhinos, being largely solitary as adults, have proven easier to successfully reintroduce than elephants, whose complex herd-based social structures make it harder for a hand-raised calf to be accepted back into wild elephant society even once physically healthy enough for release.</p> <h2>At a Glance</h2> <table> <tr><th>Metric</th><th>Figure</th></tr> <tr><td>Founded</td><td>August 28, 2002</td></tr> <tr><td>25th anniversary</td><td>August 28, 2026</td></tr> <tr><td>Total rescue cases (25 years)</td><td>10,000+</td></tr> <tr><td>Successful treatment/release rate</td><td>~68%</td></tr> <tr><td>Species treated</td><td>357</td></tr> <tr><td>Rhino calves reintroduced (into Manas NP, since 2006)</td><td>21</td></tr> <tr><td>Elephant calves rescued / released</td><td>29 rescued / 12 released</td></tr> <tr><td>Animals treated per flood season</td><td>700+</td></tr> <tr><td>Mobile Veterinary Service coverage</td><td>Eastern and Western Assam (2 units)</td></tr> <tr><td>Operating partners</td><td>Assam Forest Dept, WTI, IFAW</td></tr> </table> <h2>Local Impact</h2> <p>CWRC's flood-season rescue capacity has direct relevance to the same 2026 Assam flood crisis that has separately driven a major human post-flood health response across Upper Assam districts — while health authorities have been running medical camps for displaced people, wildlife teams from CWRC and its partner organisations have simultaneously been responding to animals stranded, injured or separated from their groups by the same rising waters, illustrating how a single flood event generates parallel, largely separate rescue and rehabilitation operations across both human and animal populations, run by entirely different institutions but shaped by the same underlying disaster.</p> <p>For Kaziranga specifically, a national park whose global reputation and tourism revenue depend heavily on its rhino and elephant populations, CWRC's rhino reintroduction work into Manas National Park represents a broader regional conservation contribution beyond Kaziranga's own boundaries — helping rebuild a population in a park that lost its rhinos entirely during a period of insurgency-related poaching, rather than simply managing Kaziranga's own already-substantial rhino numbers. This kind of inter-park population support work is less visible to the general public than headline rhino-census figures from Kaziranga itself, but represents a meaningful contribution to the broader one-horned rhino conservation landscape across Assam. Manas National Park's own history makes this contribution especially significant: the park lost the great majority of its rhino population during a period of ethnopolitical insurgency and armed conflict in the Bodoland region through the 1990s and early 2000s, when the breakdown of normal forest protection and administrative control left the park's wildlife acutely vulnerable to poaching. Rebuilding a locally extinct or near-extinct rhino population is a fundamentally different and generally slower undertaking than protecting an already-viable population like Kaziranga's, since it requires not just security and habitat readiness but a steady supply of animals suitable for reintroduction — precisely the role CWRC's hand-raised calf programme has filled over the past two decades.</p> <p>The centre's community-participation element, referenced directly by Centre Manager Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury in describing the centre's 25-year evolution, also points to a less-discussed dimension of its impact: local communities near Kaziranga and across the forest divisions covered by CWRC's mobile veterinary units are often the first to encounter distressed wildlife, particularly during floods, and the centre's ability to respond effectively depends significantly on local reporting and cooperation rather than functioning purely through its own independent field surveillance. Twenty-five years of sustained operation in the same region has likely built exactly the kind of local trust and reporting relationships that make rapid-response wildlife rescue meaningfully more effective than it would be for a newly established facility without that accumulated local relationship history.</p> <p>There is also an economic dimension to this local relationship worth noting: villages bordering Kaziranga and the forest divisions covered by CWRC's mobile units often have complicated, sometimes tense relationships with wildlife, particularly large mammals like elephants that can damage crops or property when they wander outside protected areas. A rescue-and-rehabilitation centre that visibly treats and cares for injured or orphaned wildlife — rather than a purely enforcement-oriented forest department presence focused on anti-poaching patrols — can function as a softer, more relationship-building point of contact between conservation institutions and local communities, potentially easing some of the friction that comes with living alongside large wildlife populations even though CWRC's core mission is animal welfare rather than human-wildlife conflict mediation specifically.</p> <h2>What Happens Next</h2> <p>With the 25-year milestone marked through public statements from all three partner organisations rather than a specific new programme announcement, CWRC's near-term operational focus is likely to remain continuity of its existing programmes — ongoing rhino reintroduction into Manas, continued elephant calf rescue and reintegration efforts, and the two-unit Mobile Veterinary Service's ongoing coverage of eastern and western Assam — rather than a major structural expansion tied specifically to the anniversary itself. Given that 2026's monsoon season has already produced a major flood event across Upper Assam, driving both the human health response covered separately and CWRC's own parallel wildlife rescue operations, the centre's flood-season rescue capacity is likely to remain under active demand through the remainder of this year's monsoon period.</p> <p>Longer-term, the centre's stated commitment to "continuous learning, scientific approaches and community participation," in Dr. Choudhury's framing, suggests incremental rather than dramatic change is the more likely trajectory — a pattern consistent with how the centre's own operational scope has expanded gradually over 25 years, from an initial single-location rescue facility to a two-region mobile veterinary operation covering multiple forest divisions. Whether the organisations involved publish a more detailed retrospective report analysing rescue trends, release-rate changes by species, or lessons learned across the full 25-year dataset is not indicated in the material reviewed for this report, but would represent a natural next step for an institution marking this scale of anniversary.</p> <p>For now, the clearest signal of what comes next is the pattern already established over the previous 25 years: incremental geographic expansion of mobile veterinary coverage, continued refinement of species-specific rehabilitation protocols, and a rhino reintroduction programme that will likely continue feeding hand-raised calves into Manas National Park for as long as that park's own natural rhino population remains below the level considered self-sustaining without external reinforcement.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>What is CWRC and when was it founded?</h3> <p>The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, located at Panbari near Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve in Assam, was founded on August 28, 2002, as India's first dedicated facility for hand-raising, treating and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wild animals for eventual release back into the wild.</p> <h3>How many animals has CWRC rescued in 25 years?</h3> <p>More than 10,000 wildlife rescue cases, spanning 357 distinct species, with a successful treatment and release rate of approximately 68 percent.</p> <h3>Who operates CWRC?</h3> <p>It is a joint initiative of the Assam Forest Department, the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).</p> <h3>What has CWRC achieved with rhino conservation?</h3> <p>Since 2006, CWRC has reintroduced 21 hand-raised rhino calves into Manas National Park, helping rebuild a rhino population the park had lost entirely to poaching during a period of civil unrest.</p> <h3>How does CWRC help elephants?</h3> <p>The centre has rescued 29 elephant calves, chiefly separated from their herds during floods, successfully returning 12 of them to the wild — a lower success rate than for rhinos, reflecting the greater difficulty of reintegrating elephants into complex wild herd social structures.</p> <h3>How does CWRC respond during Assam's flood season?</h3> <p>The centre's dedicated flood-response operations routinely treat more than 700 animals in a single monsoon season, using two Mobile Veterinary Service units covering eastern and western Assam.</p> <h3>What other species does CWRC work with besides rhinos and elephants?</h3> <p>Ongoing programmes include Asiatic black bear rehabilitation, wild buffalo rescue, and hoolock gibbon rehabilitation, alongside treatment of clouded leopards, hog deer, otters and numerous bird species among the 357 total species treated.</p> <h3>Why is hoolock gibbon rehabilitation especially difficult?</h3> <p>As canopy-dwelling primates that live in monogamous family units and require continuous forest canopy to move between trees, hand-raised gibbon calves need habitat with intact canopy connectivity and reintegration support accounting for complex social bonding, making their rehabilitation slower and more specialised than for ground-dwelling species.</p> <h3>Why did Manas National Park need rhinos reintroduced?</h3> <p>Manas lost most of its rhino population to poaching during a period of insurgency and armed conflict in the Bodoland region through the 1990s and early 2000s, when the breakdown of forest protection left wildlife acutely vulnerable, requiring an external supply of animals to rebuild the population.</p> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[ {"@type":"Question","name":"What is CWRC and when was it founded?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, near Kaziranga National Park, founded August 28, 2002, as India's first dedicated wildlife rehabilitation facility."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"How many animals has CWRC rescued in 25 years?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"More than 10,000 rescue cases across 357 species, with about a 68 percent successful release rate."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Who operates CWRC?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Assam Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India, and International Fund for Animal Welfare."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What has CWRC achieved with rhino conservation?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"21 hand-raised rhino calves reintroduced into Manas National Park since 2006, rebuilding a population lost to poaching."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"How does CWRC help elephants?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"29 elephant calves rescued, 12 successfully returned to the wild."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"How does CWRC respond during Assam's flood season?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It treats over 700 animals per monsoon season via two Mobile Veterinary Service units covering eastern and western Assam."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What other species does CWRC work with besides rhinos and elephants?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Asiatic black bears, wild buffalo, hoolock gibbons, clouded leopards, hog deer, otters and various bird species."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Why is hoolock gibbon rehabilitation especially difficult?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Gibbons need intact forest canopy connectivity and reintegration support for their complex social bonding, making rehabilitation slower and more specialised."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Why did Manas National Park need rhinos reintroduced?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Manas lost most of its rhinos to poaching during a period of insurgency in the Bodoland region through the 1990s and early 2000s."}} ]} </script> <h2>Sources</h2> <ul> <li>Northeast News (nenews.in)</li> <li>Northeast India 24</li> <li>Wildlife Trust of India</li> <li>International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)</li> </ul>
Read Full Story →News•Aug 30
Rs 8,970 Crore Guwahati-Tezpur Corridor Cleared: 3.5 Hours Cut to 1.7
<p>The Union Cabinet on 6 August 2026 approved a 135.871-kilometre four-lane access-controlled corridor between Guwahati and Tezpur on National Highway 15, at an estimated cost of ₹8,970.20 crore, to be developed under the build-operate-transfer toll model. The project is designed to cut the journey between the two cities from about 3.5 hours to roughly 1.7 hours, and includes a 4.9-kilometre emergency landing facility on the Tezpur bypass planned in coordination with the Indian Air Force.</p> <p>Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the decision, saying: "On behalf of the people of Assam, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for approving the Rs 8,970 crore, four-lane Baihata Chariali-Tezpur Highway."</p> <h2>Background</h2> <p>Assam is divided lengthwise by the Brahmaputra, and that single geographic fact has shaped its road network, its economy and the uneven development of its two halves for as long as either has had highways.</p> <p>The south bank carries NH-27, part of the East-West Corridor, which is the principal road link between the rest of India and the Northeast. It is a national freight artery, and it is congested. The north bank — the stretch running from the Guwahati area north-east through Darrang and Sonitpur towards Tezpur and onward — has historically been served by a lower-capacity road, which has left the districts along it comparatively less connected despite lying within a hundred and fifty kilometres of the state capital.</p> <p>The consequences of that asymmetry compound. Agricultural produce from the north bank reaches markets more slowly. Industrial investment gravitates toward the better-connected south. Access to Guwahati's hospitals and colleges takes longer for north bank residents than distance alone would suggest. Two of the districts the new corridor passes through, Darrang and Udalguri, are classified as aspirational districts — a designation applied to districts identified for focused development attention on the basis of lagging indicators.</p> <p>There is also a strategic dimension that is unusual in Indian highway planning. The north bank route continues towards Arunachal Pradesh, and the corridor forms an important link in the network connecting Guwahati with Itanagar and Pasighat. Arunachal Pradesh shares a long and contested frontier, and the ability to move people and material quickly along the north bank has a significance beyond commerce. The inclusion of an emergency landing facility built with the Indian Air Force makes that dimension explicit rather than implicit.</p> <p>An emergency landing facility is a length of highway engineered and certified so that military aircraft can land and take off on it. It requires greater pavement strength, particular geometry, unobstructed approaches and no overhead structures across the designated stretch. In routine conditions it functions as an ordinary road; in a contingency, or when airfields are unavailable, it becomes a runway.</p> <p>India has been building these systematically. Around 28 emergency landing facilities have been identified across 11 states, with roughly 15 already functional, developed by the National Highways Authority of India in coordination with the Indian Air Force. They are typically straight stretches of three to four kilometres with reinforced pavement able to take the weight and landing stress of fighter jets and transport aircraft. National Highway 925A in Rajasthan was the first national highway officially designated and developed as an ELF; the Purvanchal Expressway in Uttar Pradesh carries a 3.2-kilometre airstrip in Sultanpur district, inaugurated in 2021; NH-16 in Balasore district has one in Odisha; and Andhra Pradesh has a 4.1-kilometre, 33-metre-wide concrete strip built to IAF specification.</p> <p>Assam already has one. The Moran emergency landing facility in Dibrugarh district is a specially developed 4.2-kilometre section of national highway and was the first highway-based airstrip in Northeast India. At 4.9 kilometres, the facility planned on the Tezpur bypass would be longer than Moran and longer than most of the strips built elsewhere in the country — a detail worth noting for what it implies about the aircraft types and operating margins being planned for on the north bank.</p> <h2>Key Details</h2> <p>The approved project's parameters:</p> <ul> <li><b>Route:</b> Guwahati to Tezpur on National Highway 15, described by the Chief Minister as the Baihata Chariali-Tezpur highway.</li> <li><b>Length:</b> 135.871 kilometres.</li> <li><b>Configuration:</b> four-lane, access-controlled.</li> <li><b>Cost:</b> ₹8,970.20 crore.</li> <li><b>Delivery model:</b> build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll.</li> <li><b>Travel time:</b> from about 3.5 hours to roughly 1.7 hours, with average travel speeds expected to double.</li> <li><b>Approval:</b> Union Cabinet, 6 August 2026.</li> </ul> <p>The physical components are substantial:</p> <ul> <li><b>Five major bypasses</b> totalling 58.7 kilometres, at Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli and Tezpur.</li> <li><b>15 major bridges and 30 minor bridges.</b></li> <li><b>19 flyovers and 46 underpasses.</b></li> <li><b>One elephant underpass</b> on the Tezpur bypass, to allow wildlife movement.</li> <li><b>A 4.9-kilometre emergency landing facility</b> on the Tezpur bypass, planned with the Indian Air Force.</li> <li><b>Around 210 kilometres of service roads</b>, to maintain local connectivity alongside the access-controlled main carriageway.</li> </ul> <p>That service road figure deserves attention, because it is larger than the corridor itself. An access-controlled highway, by definition, cannot be entered or left except at designated points — which is what makes high speeds safe, and which is also what would sever every village road, field track and shop frontage along the route if nothing else were built. The 210 kilometres of service roads are the mechanism by which local life continues to function alongside a road that local traffic cannot directly join. Whether they are built to adequate standard, and maintained, tends to determine whether communities along such a corridor experience it as a benefit or as a wall.</p> <p>On coverage, the corridor is stated to link eight PM Gati Shakti economic nodes and seven logistics nodes, to serve two aspirational districts — Darrang and Udalguri — and to improve access to three tourist destinations: the Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park.</p> <p>The project is also expected to relieve NH-27 on the southern bank by offering an alternative route, which connects it to the broader effort to reduce congestion on the East-West Corridor. In the same Cabinet meeting, the government approved a ₹23,731 crore GOBARdhan bioenergy scheme.</p> <p>It is worth being precise about the relationship between the north bank corridor and the congested south bank route, because the two are often described as if the new road simply replaces the old one. NH-27 will continue to carry the bulk of long-distance freight between the rest of India and the states beyond Assam, because that is the alignment the East-West Corridor follows. What the Guwahati-Tezpur corridor offers is an alternative for traffic whose origin or destination lies on the north bank or in Arunachal Pradesh — journeys that currently join the southern artery for want of a comparable road on their own side of the river. Removing that traffic eases NH-27 without being a substitute for it. The two corridors are complements, and Assam's road strategy appears to be pursuing both simultaneously — the Guwahati Ring Road on the south bank and this corridor on the north.</p> <h2>At a Glance</h2> <table> <tr><th>Parameter</th><th>Detail</th></tr> <tr><td>Journey time, Guwahati to Tezpur</td><td>About 3.5 hours now, to roughly 1.7 hours after completion</td></tr> <tr><td>Length and configuration</td><td>135.871 km, four-lane, access-controlled</td></tr> <tr><td>Cost and model</td><td>₹8,970.20 crore, BOT (toll)</td></tr> <tr><td>Bypasses</td><td>Five, totalling 58.7 km — Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli, Tezpur</td></tr> <tr><td>Bridges</td><td>15 major, 30 minor</td></tr> <tr><td>Grade separation</td><td>19 flyovers, 46 underpasses</td></tr> <tr><td>Wildlife provision</td><td>One elephant underpass on the Tezpur bypass</td></tr> <tr><td>Defence provision</td><td>4.9 km emergency landing facility with the IAF, on the Tezpur bypass</td></tr> <tr><td>Local connectivity</td><td>Around 210 km of service roads</td></tr> <tr><td>Nodes and districts served</td><td>8 Gati Shakti economic nodes, 7 logistics nodes, aspirational districts Darrang and Udalguri</td></tr> </table> <p>Read as a whole, the component list describes a road built to bypass rather than to pass through. Five bypasses covering 58.7 kilometres means that roughly 43 per cent of the corridor's length consists of new alignment routed around existing towns. That is the design decision that makes the travel time halving achievable — the current journey is slow not because the distance is great but because the road passes through the main streets of Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli and Tezpur.</p> <h2>Local Impact</h2> <p><b>For the towns being bypassed.</b> The effect on a town when a highway is routed around it is genuinely double-edged, and residents of these five places will experience both sides. Congestion, accidents, noise and dust on the main street all decline, which improves daily life considerably. But roadside businesses that depend on passing traffic — dhabas, tyre shops, fuel stations, small traders — lose the customers who previously had no choice but to drive past their door. This is one of the more predictable consequences of bypass construction, and it falls on a specific and often unprepared group of small businesses.</p> <p><b>For Darrang and Udalguri.</b> As aspirational districts, these are precisely the places where a connectivity improvement should have the largest marginal effect. Halving the travel time to Guwahati changes what is feasible: perishable produce reaches the city market in better condition, a patient needing tertiary care reaches a hospital faster, and a business considering a location on the north bank faces a materially different logistics calculation.</p> <p><b>For access to Arunachal Pradesh.</b> The corridor's value does not stop at Tezpur. As part of the network linking Guwahati with Itanagar and Pasighat, it improves the road journey for residents of Arunachal Pradesh who travel into Assam for medical treatment, higher education, wholesale purchasing and onward air travel from Guwahati. Arunachal's own internal road network is constrained by mountainous terrain, which makes the quality of the approach route through the Assam plains disproportionately important to how long a journey from an Arunachal town to a Guwahati hospital actually takes.</p> <p><b>For agriculture and tea.</b> The north bank districts are agricultural, and the corridor runs through tea-growing country. Faster and more reliable road transport reduces spoilage, lowers transport costs and widens the range of markets a producer can reach. For tea specifically, movement to auction, to processing and to onward transport is a recurring cost that road quality directly affects.</p> <p><b>For industry and logistics.</b> The corridor is stated to link eight PM Gati Shakti economic nodes, including industrial parks, and seven logistics nodes. The significance of that framing is that the road is being planned as part of a network rather than as an isolated stretch — Gati Shakti exists to align road, rail and terminal projects so that a highway terminates somewhere useful rather than simply improving a section of tarmac. For manufacturers and traders on the north bank, an access-controlled four-lane road connecting industrial parks to logistics facilities changes delivery reliability, which for many businesses matters more than raw speed. A predictable three-hour round trip supports scheduling that an unpredictable seven-hour one does not.</p> <p><b>For tourism.</b> Improved access to Kaziranga and Orang National Parks matters for a state trying to grow wildlife tourism, and Kaziranga has just recorded its highest ever visitor numbers. Orang, the smaller and far less visited of the two, arguably stands to gain more proportionally — it is the kind of destination that suffers from being awkward to reach rather than from being unappealing.</p> <p><b>For wildlife.</b> The single elephant underpass on the Tezpur bypass is a recognition that the corridor crosses terrain elephants use. Whether one underpass is adequate depends entirely on where elephants actually cross, and the effectiveness of such structures is determined by placement, dimensions and whether animals will use them — a question answered by monitoring after construction rather than by the specification. Assam's experience of elephant mortality on infrastructure is extensive, and the state has separately identified 33 elephant corridors along railway tracks, which suggests the number of crossing points in the landscape is considerably larger than one.</p> <p><b>On what "access-controlled" changes for road safety.</b> The safety gain from this design is not incidental — it is the main reason such corridors are built to this standard. On a conventional Indian national highway passing through settlements, the dominant crash types involve vehicles entering or crossing the carriageway at unregulated points, pedestrians crossing, and slow agricultural or animal-drawn traffic mixing with fast long-distance vehicles. Access control, combined with 19 flyovers and 46 underpasses, removes most of those conflicts by physically separating the movements. The projected doubling of average speeds is achievable only because the conflicts that force drivers to slow are engineered out, and the same measures are what make the higher speeds survivable.</p> <p><b>On tolls.</b> The BOT toll model means users will pay to use the corridor for the duration of the concession. For a commercial operator, a toll offset by halved journey time and lower vehicle operating costs is generally worth paying. For a local resident making short trips, the calculation differs, which is another reason the quality of the parallel service roads matters — they are the untolled alternative.</p> <h2>What Happens Next</h2> <p>Cabinet approval authorises the project; it does not start construction. The sequence from here runs through bid processes, award of the concession, financial close, land acquisition where alignment requires it, and then construction. Under a BOT model the concessionaire arranges financing, which adds a step that engineering-procurement-construction contracts do not have.</p> <p>No construction timeline was specified in the approval reporting, and readers should not assume an early start. A related NH-15 four-laning project from Baihata to Mission Chariali, valued at ₹7,642 crore, has separately gone to tender, indicating that the north bank highway programme is proceeding as a set of packages rather than a single contract.</p> <p>The BOT toll structure carries its own implication worth flagging. Under BOT, the concessionaire recovers its investment from toll revenue over the concession period, which means the model works only if traffic volumes justify it. On a corridor whose economic case rests substantially on unlocking development in districts that are currently under-developed, projected traffic is partly a forecast about growth that has not happened yet. That is not an argument against the project — infrastructure frequently has to precede the activity it enables — but it does mean the commercial terms depend on assumptions that will be tested only after the road opens.</p> <p>Land acquisition is the variable that most often determines whether Indian highway projects meet their schedules, particularly where new bypass alignment crosses cultivated land and settlement. With 58.7 kilometres of bypass, this project has substantial exposure to that risk.</p> <p>The emergency landing facility will require coordination with the Indian Air Force through design and construction, since certification requirements govern pavement specification, approach clearances and the prohibition of overhead structures across the designated stretch.</p> <p>For residents of the five bypassed towns, the period worth planning for is the construction phase itself, during which the existing road continues to carry traffic alongside works. Businesses that will eventually lose passing trade have that interval to adjust, and the towns that benefit most from bypasses in the long run are generally those that used the construction period to reposition rather than those that waited.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>Does Assam already have a highway airstrip?</h3> <p>Yes. The Moran emergency landing facility in Dibrugarh district is a specially developed 4.2-km section of national highway and was the first highway-based airstrip in Northeast India. The 4.9-km facility planned on the Tezpur bypass would be longer. Nationally, around 28 emergency landing facilities have been identified across 11 states, with roughly 15 already functional, developed by NHAI in coordination with the Indian Air Force.</p> <h3>What exactly has been approved?</h3> <p>The Union Cabinet approved, on 6 August 2026, a 135.871-km four-lane access-controlled corridor between Guwahati and Tezpur on National Highway 15, at an estimated cost of ₹8,970.20 crore, under the build-operate-transfer toll model.</p> <h3>How much time will the journey save?</h3> <p>The corridor is designed to reduce travel between Guwahati and Tezpur from about 3.5 hours to roughly 1.7 hours, with average travel speeds expected to double, alongside improved road safety and lower vehicle operating costs.</p> <h3>Why is there an Air Force landing strip on a highway?</h3> <p>The project includes a 4.9-km emergency landing facility on the Tezpur bypass, planned in coordination with the Indian Air Force. An ELF is a stretch of highway engineered and certified so military aircraft can land and take off on it, functioning as an ordinary road in normal conditions. Such facilities have been built on national highways principally in border states.</p> <h3>Which towns are being bypassed?</h3> <p>Five major bypasses totalling 58.7 km are planned at Baihata Chariali, Sipajhar, Kharupetia, Dekiajuli and Tezpur.</p> <h3>What is being built along the corridor?</h3> <p>15 major bridges, 30 minor bridges, 19 flyovers, 46 underpasses, one elephant underpass on the Tezpur bypass, the 4.9-km emergency landing facility, and around 210 km of service roads to maintain local connectivity.</p> <h3>Which districts and destinations benefit?</h3> <p>The corridor links eight PM Gati Shakti economic nodes and seven logistics nodes, serves the aspirational districts of Darrang and Udalguri, and improves access to the Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park and Orang National Park. It also strengthens connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, forming part of the network linking Guwahati with Itanagar and Pasighat.</p> <h3>Will it be tolled?</h3> <p>Yes. The corridor is to be developed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll model, meaning users pay tolls during the concession period. The roughly 210 km of service roads provide local connectivity alongside the access-controlled main carriageway.</p> <h3>When will construction start and finish?</h3> <p>No construction timeline was specified in the approval reporting. Cabinet approval authorises the project but is followed by bidding, award of the concession, financial close and land acquisition before construction begins.</p> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[ {"@type":"Question","name":"Does Assam already have a highway airstrip?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. 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It also strengthens connectivity between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Will it be tolled?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. The corridor is to be developed under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) toll model, meaning users pay tolls during the concession period. The roughly 210 km of service roads provide local connectivity alongside the access-controlled main carriageway."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"When will construction start and finish?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No construction timeline was specified in the approval reporting. Cabinet approval authorises the project but is followed by bidding, award of the concession, financial close and land acquisition before construction begins."}} ]} </script> <h2>Sources</h2> <ul> <li>The Assam Tribune — Union Cabinet clears the ₹8,970 crore Guwahati-Tezpur corridor, including the Chief Minister's statement and the nodes and districts served</li> <li>Business Standard — Cabinet approves the ₹8,970 crore Guwahati-Tezpur highway project in Assam</li> <li>India Today NE — Cabinet clears the corridor with IAF landing strip</li> <li>Business Today — travel time halving and project details</li> <li>Northeast Today — Centre approves the Guwahati-Tezpur NH-15 corridor project</li> <li>DD India — Cabinet approval reporting and the corridor's expected effect on tea, tourism and trade</li> <li>Republic World — Cabinet clearing the NH-15 corridor alongside the GOBARdhan bioenergy scheme</li> <li>India TV — list of highways in India developed as IAF airstrips</li> <li>CSAP — the Moran Highway Emergency Landing Facility in Dibrugarh district</li> <li>News Live — tender for the ₹7,642 crore NH-15 four-lane project from Baihata to Mission Chariali</li> </ul>
Read Full Story →Tourism•Aug 30
Kaziranga’s Record Year: 5.48 Lakh Visitors and What October’s Reopening Brings
<p>Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve recorded 5,48,319 visitors in the 2025-26 tourism year, including 32,765 foreign tourists — the highest footfall in the UNESCO World Heritage Site's history and a figure Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described as making it the "best year on record". The count covers 1 April 2025 to 28 May 2026, the final day of jeep safaris before the park closed for the monsoon.</p> <p>The park is now shut and will reopen for the 2026-27 season in October, once the floodwaters recede and internal roads become passable again. When it does, visitors will find a considerably wider range of things to do than a decade ago — bird safaris, cycling routes, boat safaris and community-run trekking, spread across ranges that were not previously part of the tourist circuit.</p> <h2>Background</h2> <p>Kaziranga's significance rests on a single conservation fact: the park protects close to two-thirds of the world's population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, a species that came within a few dozen animals of extinction in the early twentieth century. It is also a tiger reserve, holds significant elephant and wild water buffalo populations, and supports substantial bird diversity across its grassland, wetland and woodland mosaic on the Brahmaputra floodplain.</p> <p>The rhino population has been rising steadily. Kaziranga counted 2,613 rhinos in its 2022 census, up from 2,048 in 2009 — an increase of more than 500 animals in thirteen years. That growth is the product of an anti-poaching operation of unusual intensity, and the enforcement record is the necessary context for any discussion of Kaziranga tourism, because visitors are coming to see an animal that had to be defended to remain visible.</p> <p>Rhino poaching at Kaziranga fell to zero in 2025, and Assam has recorded zero-poaching years in both 2022 and 2025; reports in January 2026 noted the state had gone 730 consecutive days without a case. The apparatus behind that includes 253 anti-poaching camps, drone surveillance, the 'Van Durga' women's forest protection groups, and shoot-on-sight orders. A Special Rhino Protection Force of 82 trained personnel is deployed across the park's ranges, equipped with modern rifles, satellite phones and drones.</p> <p>The shoot-on-sight element has drawn sustained criticism from human rights observers over the years, and it would be incomplete to describe Kaziranga's conservation success without noting that the model has been contested as well as praised. The park's results are not in dispute; the methods used to achieve them have been.</p> <p>That floodplain setting governs the tourism calendar entirely. Kaziranga floods every year. The annual inundation is not a disaster for the park — it is the process that maintains the grasslands the rhino depend on and flushes the wetlands — but it makes the park impassable to vehicles and unsafe for visitors for months at a time. The park therefore closes around mid-May and reopens in October, and the season runs through the dry winter and spring.</p> <p>Tourism growth at Kaziranga has been sustained rather than sudden. In 2015-16, the park received 155,107 tourists. A decade later the figure is over five and a half lakh — approximately a four-fold increase. Several things drove that: improved road connectivity to the park, wider air connectivity into Guwahati and Jorhat, the general expansion of Indian domestic wildlife tourism, and Kaziranga's own rising international profile.</p> <p>The foreign visitor share is worth examining because it is often misread. Park Field Director Sonali Ghosh has noted that foreign visitors now comprise approximately 4.5 per cent of total arrivals. In absolute terms that means 32,765 international tourists in 2025-26, up from 30,474 the previous year. Foreign arrivals are growing, but the overwhelming majority of Kaziranga's visitors — 515,554 of them last season — are domestic. Kaziranga is, first and foremost, a destination Indians visit.</p> <h2>Key Details</h2> <p>The 2025-26 season figures:</p> <ul> <li><b>Total visitors:</b> 5,48,319, between 1 April 2025 and 28 May 2026.</li> <li><b>Domestic visitors:</b> 515,554.</li> <li><b>Foreign visitors:</b> 32,765, approximately 4.5 per cent of arrivals.</li> <li><b>Previous season (2024-25):</b> 468,000 total arrivals, including 30,474 foreign visitors.</li> <li><b>A decade earlier (2015-16):</b> 155,107 tourists.</li> <li><b>May 2026 alone:</b> approximately 30,850 visitors, including 175 foreign tourists.</li> <li><b>Season close:</b> 28 May 2026 was the final day of jeep safaris, with closure decided on the basis of the rainfall situation and the condition of roads inside and outside the park.</li> <li><b>Reopening:</b> October, for the 2026-27 season.</li> </ul> <p>The May figure is instructive about how the season is distributed. Around 30,850 visitors came in May, but only 175 of them were foreign — a fraction of a per cent, against a season average of 4.5 per cent. International visitors overwhelmingly come in the cooler, drier months of the season; by May the heat and the approaching monsoon have effectively ended the international season while domestic visitors continue. Any tourism business at Kaziranga dependent on foreign clientele operates on a shorter calendar than the park's official opening dates suggest.</p> <p>The park has been expanding what visitors can actually do, and the additions are notable for being spread across locations rather than concentrated at the main Kohora gate:</p> <ul> <li>Bird safaris in Panbari</li> <li>Cycling tours in Kohora</li> <li>Jeep and boat safaris in Biswanath</li> <li>Trekking at Hemtap Hill in Silimkhowa village</li> <li>Boat safaris in Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori</li> <li>Birding circuits and community-led tourism initiatives</li> </ul> <p>Alongside these, the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project — a major highway intervention intended to let wildlife pass beneath the road rather than across it — is advancing toward construction, and is set out in detail below.</p> <p>The dispersal across ranges is the strategically significant part of this list. Kohora has historically absorbed the bulk of visitor traffic, and a park facing rising footfall has two options: concentrate more people into the same core, or open additional areas. Panbari, Biswanath, Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori represent the second choice. It reduces congestion at the busiest gate, distributes disturbance more thinly across a larger area, and — importantly for the surrounding economy — moves visitor spending into settlements that previously saw none of it.</p> <p>Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma characterised the growth as "conservation-led development" stimulating economic progress, attributing the record to sustained work on conservation, infrastructure development and tourism promotion.</p> <h2>At a Glance</h2> <table> <tr><th>Season</th><th>Total visitors</th><th>Foreign visitors</th><th>Note</th></tr> <tr><td>2015-16</td><td>155,107</td><td>Not cited</td><td>Baseline for the decade's comparison</td></tr> <tr><td>2024-25</td><td>468,000</td><td>30,474</td><td>Previous record season</td></tr> <tr><td>2025-26</td><td>548,319</td><td>32,765</td><td>Highest on record; 515,554 domestic</td></tr> <tr><td>Change, 2024-25 to 2025-26</td><td>+80,319 (about +17%)</td><td>+2,291 (about +7.5%)</td><td>Domestic growth outpacing foreign</td></tr> <tr><td>Change over the decade</td><td>Roughly four-fold</td><td>—</td><td>From 155,107 to 548,319</td></tr> </table> <p>The final rows carry the most useful information. Total arrivals rose about 17 per cent year on year while foreign arrivals rose about 7.5 per cent, meaning the growth is being driven principally by Indian visitors and the foreign share is, if anything, being diluted rather than expanded. For businesses positioning themselves around international tourism, that is a different market signal than the headline record suggests.</p> <h2>Local Impact</h2> <p><b>On the local economy.</b> Half a million visitors a season supports a substantial ecosystem of lodges, homestays, guides, drivers, cooks and shopkeepers in the settlements around the park, particularly at Kohora. Wildlife tourism at this scale is one of the few sectors in rural Assam that converts an environmental asset directly into local employment, and it does so without extracting or depleting the asset — provided visitor pressure stays within limits the habitat can absorb.</p> <p><b>On the seasonality problem.</b> The single hardest economic feature of Kaziranga tourism is that it stops. The park is closed for roughly four to five months, and the businesses built around it have no visitors during that period. Lodge staff, guides and drivers face an annual income gap, and the fixed costs of accommodation continue regardless. The expansion into boat safaris, birding circuits and community-led activities matters partly because some of these can operate in conditions or locations where jeep safaris cannot, potentially lengthening the earning season.</p> <p><b>On the dispersal of benefit.</b> The new offerings are located at Panbari, Biswanath, Silimkhowa, Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori — places outside the traditional Kohora core where most tourist spending has historically concentrated. Spreading activity across a wider geography spreads income to more communities and eases pressure on the busiest range. Community-led tourism initiatives, where residents run the activity rather than serving as employees of an outside operator, retain a larger share of the money locally.</p> <p><b>On what the zero-poaching record means commercially.</b> There is a direct commercial logic to Kaziranga's enforcement record that is rarely stated. Wildlife tourists pay for the probability of a sighting, and Kaziranga's principal competitive advantage over other Indian parks is that rhino sightings there are close to assured — a function of density, open grassland terrain and a population that has grown to 2,613 animals. A park where poaching thins the population and pushes surviving animals into cover becomes a park where visitors leave disappointed, and word of that travels. The anti-poaching operation is therefore not merely a conservation programme running alongside a tourism business; it is the thing that makes the tourism business viable.</p> <p><b>On visitor pressure.</b> Rising footfall in a protected area is not an unambiguous good. More vehicles on internal tracks means more disturbance, more dust and more risk of wildlife-vehicle incidents; more visitors means more waste and more pressure on water and sanitation in surrounding settlements. A park that has grown four-fold in a decade faces a genuine question about carrying capacity, and it is a question best confronted while numbers are rising rather than after damage appears.</p> <p><b>On the disruption ahead.</b> A three-year construction programme along 85.675 kilometres of the highway serving the park will not be invisible to tourism. The Kaliabor-Numaligarh stretch is the main road approach to Kaziranga for visitors arriving from Guwahati, and four-laning works plus elevated-section construction mean years of diversions, delays and noise along that corridor. Lodges and operators face a period in which access is harder before it becomes easier, and the park's own visitor numbers may reflect that. It is a familiar pattern with infrastructure that is genuinely worth building: the benefit is permanent and the disruption is temporary, but the disruption arrives first.</p> <p><b>On the connection to conflict.</b> The area around Kaziranga sits within the broader landscape where human-wildlife conflict is a live issue in Assam, and the park's boundary is crossed by animals moving between habitat patches. Tourism revenue and local employment are among the strongest arguments available for maintaining community tolerance of wildlife — a person whose livelihood depends on visitors coming to see rhinos has a material stake in there being rhinos. That link between tourism income and conservation consent is the mechanism behind the "conservation-led development" framing.</p> <h2>What Happens Next</h2> <p>The immediate event is the October reopening for the 2026-27 season. Exact opening dates at Kaziranga depend on ground conditions — the rainfall situation and the state of roads inside and outside the park — so travellers should confirm dates rather than assume a fixed calendar. The park has previously opened its gates in late September and has also had closing dates extended, which indicates the schedule is managed against conditions rather than fixed in advance.</p> <p>Whether 2026-27 exceeds 548,319 visitors is the obvious question, and the answer will depend substantially on the monsoon. A severe flood year damages infrastructure, delays reopening and shortens the season; a moderate one does not. Kaziranga's tourism numbers and its flood exposure are linked in a way few other Indian parks experience.</p> <p>The Kaziranga Elevated Corridor is the development with the largest potential effect on both wildlife movement and the visitor experience, and it is considerably further advanced than the phrase "forthcoming" suggests. The project involves constructing an elevated corridor of about 34.5 kilometres spanning nine identified animal corridors, covering the cross-movement of wildlife between Kaziranga National Park and the Karbi Anglong Hills to allow free and uninterrupted passage. It forms part of a larger scheme to widen the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-37 — now New NH-715 — to four lanes, with a total project length of 85.675 kilometres, to be implemented in Engineering, Procurement and Construction mode.</p> <p>The cost has moved. The project has been cited at a total of ₹6,957 crore, while fresh bids invited by the central government put the estimated cost at ₹4,829.14 crore. The completion period specified in the fresh invitation for bids is three years.</p> <p>The problem the corridor addresses is acute and specific to Kaziranga's geography. Animals move north-south between the park's floodplain and the higher ground of Karbi Anglong, and they do so most urgently during floods, when rising water pushes wildlife out of the park toward the hills. The highway runs directly across that escape route. Elevating the road allows animals to pass beneath rather than across traffic, which is the difference between a flood being a natural process the park absorbs and a flood becoming a mass-casualty event on a carriageway. The existing interim measure — a ₹5,000 penalty for speeding that kills or injures animals — indicates the scale of the problem the permanent engineering solution is meant to replace.</p> <p>Visitors planning a trip for the coming season should also note that the experience on offer now differs meaningfully by range and by activity. A first-time visitor wanting a high-probability rhino sighting is best served by the established jeep safari ranges; someone interested in birds, or in a quieter and less vehicle-dominated experience, has options at Panbari, Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori that did not previously exist. Booking patterns for the new activities are likely to be thinner and less standardised than for the main gates, so advance confirmation matters more. The same applies to timing: the cooler months from roughly November through February offer the most comfortable conditions and the best-attended season, while March to May brings heat, thinning international numbers and an increasing chance of an early closure if the rains arrive ahead of schedule.</p> <p>For the newer activities — the bird safaris, cycling routes, boat safaris and trekking — the test is whether they attract enough uptake to sustain the communities running them. New tourism products frequently launch with publicity and then struggle for bookings, and community-led ventures are particularly vulnerable to that pattern because they lack marketing reach.</p> <h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2> <h3>How many tourists visited Kaziranga in 2025-26?</h3> <p>5,48,319 visitors between 1 April 2025 and 28 May 2026, including 515,554 domestic and 32,765 foreign tourists. It was the highest footfall on record for the park.</p> <h3>Is Kaziranga open right now?</h3> <p>No. The park closed for the monsoon, with 28 May 2026 the final day of jeep safaris. It reopens in October for the 2026-27 season.</p> <h3>Why does Kaziranga close every year?</h3> <p>The park lies on the Brahmaputra floodplain and floods annually during the monsoon, making internal roads impassable and areas inside and outside the park inaccessible. Closure decisions are based on the rainfall situation and road conditions.</p> <h3>When exactly does it reopen?</h3> <p>In October, though the precise date depends on ground conditions. The park has opened in late September in a previous season and has also had closing dates extended, so visitors should confirm dates before travelling rather than assume a fixed calendar.</p> <h3>How much has tourism grown?</h3> <p>Roughly four-fold over a decade — from 155,107 tourists in 2015-16 to 548,319 in 2025-26. The previous season, 2024-25, recorded 468,000 arrivals including 30,474 foreign visitors.</p> <h3>What proportion of visitors are foreign?</h3> <p>Approximately 4.5 per cent, according to Park Field Director Sonali Ghosh. In 2025-26 that meant 32,765 foreign visitors out of 548,319. Foreign arrivals concentrate in the cooler months — of roughly 30,850 visitors in May 2026, only 175 were foreign.</p> <h3>What new things can visitors do at Kaziranga?</h3> <p>Bird safaris in Panbari, cycling tours in Kohora, jeep and boat safaris in Biswanath, trekking at Hemtap Hill in Silimkhowa village, boat safaris in Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori, plus birding circuits and community-led tourism initiatives. A Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project has been described as forthcoming.</p> <h3>How many rhinos are there in Kaziranga?</h3> <p>The park counted 2,613 rhinos in its 2022 census, up from 2,048 in 2009. Kaziranga protects close to two-thirds of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population.</p> <h3>Is poaching still a problem at Kaziranga?</h3> <p>Rhino poaching at Kaziranga fell to zero in 2025, and Assam recorded zero-poaching years in both 2022 and 2025, with reports in January 2026 noting 730 consecutive days without a case. The enforcement apparatus includes 253 anti-poaching camps, drones, 'Van Durga' groups, shoot-on-sight orders and a Special Rhino Protection Force of 82 personnel. The shoot-on-sight approach has been criticised by human rights observers.</p> <h3>What is the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor?</h3> <p>An elevated road of about 34.5 km spanning nine identified animal corridors, allowing wildlife to move between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong Hills beneath the highway rather than across it. It forms part of four-laning the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-37 (New NH-715), a total length of 85.675 km, in EPC mode. Costs have been cited at ₹6,957 crore in total, with fresh bids estimating ₹4,829.14 crore, and a three-year completion period.</p> <h3>Why is Kaziranga important?</h3> <p>It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects close to two-thirds of the world's population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, and is also a tiger reserve supporting elephants, wild water buffalo and substantial bird diversity.</p> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[ {"@type":"Question","name":"How many tourists visited Kaziranga in 2025-26?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"5,48,319 visitors between 1 April 2025 and 28 May 2026, including 515,554 domestic and 32,765 foreign tourists. It was the highest footfall on record for the park."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Is Kaziranga open right now?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. The park closed for the monsoon, with 28 May 2026 the final day of jeep safaris. It reopens in October for the 2026-27 season."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Why does Kaziranga close every year?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The park lies on the Brahmaputra floodplain and floods annually during the monsoon, making internal roads impassable and areas inside and outside the park inaccessible. Closure decisions are based on the rainfall situation and road conditions."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"When exactly does it reopen?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"In October, though the precise date depends on ground conditions. The park has opened in late September in a previous season and has also had closing dates extended, so visitors should confirm dates before travelling."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"How much has tourism grown?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Roughly four-fold over a decade - from 155,107 tourists in 2015-16 to 548,319 in 2025-26. The previous season, 2024-25, recorded 468,000 arrivals including 30,474 foreign visitors."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What proportion of visitors are foreign?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Approximately 4.5 per cent, according to Park Field Director Sonali Ghosh. In 2025-26 that meant 32,765 foreign visitors out of 548,319. Foreign arrivals concentrate in the cooler months - of roughly 30,850 visitors in May 2026, only 175 were foreign."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What new things can visitors do at Kaziranga?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Bird safaris in Panbari, cycling tours in Kohora, jeep and boat safaris in Biswanath, trekking at Hemtap Hill in Silimkhowa village, boat safaris in Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori, plus birding circuits and community-led tourism initiatives."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"How many rhinos are there in Kaziranga?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The park counted 2,613 rhinos in its 2022 census, up from 2,048 in 2009. Kaziranga protects close to two-thirds of the world's greater one-horned rhinoceros population."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Is poaching still a problem at Kaziranga?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Rhino poaching at Kaziranga fell to zero in 2025, and Assam recorded zero-poaching years in both 2022 and 2025, with reports in January 2026 noting 730 consecutive days without a case. The enforcement apparatus includes 253 anti-poaching camps, drones, Van Durga groups, shoot-on-sight orders and a Special Rhino Protection Force of 82 personnel. The shoot-on-sight approach has been criticised by human rights observers."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"An elevated road of about 34.5 km spanning nine identified animal corridors, allowing wildlife to move between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong Hills beneath the highway. It forms part of four-laning the Kaliabor-Numaligarh section of NH-37 (New NH-715), a total length of 85.675 km, in EPC mode. Costs have been cited at Rs 6,957 crore in total, with fresh bids estimating Rs 4,829.14 crore, and a three-year completion period."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Why is Kaziranga important?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that protects close to two-thirds of the world's population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros, and is also a tiger reserve supporting elephants, wild water buffalo and substantial bird diversity."}} ]} </script> <h2>Sources</h2> <ul> <li>The News Mill — Kaziranga National Park welcomes over 548,000 tourists in the 2025-26 season, with domestic and foreign breakdown and new tourism facilities</li> <li>ANI — Kaziranga National Park logs record tourist surge; over 5.48 lakh visitors since April 2025</li> <li>The Assam Tribune — Kaziranga shuts gates for monsoon after attracting tourists over the season</li> <li>The Sentinel (Assam) — Kaziranga's previous record season and foreign arrival growth</li> <li>ETV Bharat — Kaziranga National Park set to open for tourists from October 1</li> <li>North East Live — Kaziranga National Park reopens for tourists</li> <li>Akashvani News / newsonair.gov.in — Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve opening announcement</li> <li>Travel and Tour World — reporting on record footfall and new eco-tourism experiences</li> <li>The Sentinel (Assam) — fresh bids for the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project</li> <li>The Federal — why the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project is crucial for Assam wildlife and connectivity</li> <li>ThePrint — ground report on Assam anti-poaching operations at Kaziranga</li> <li>Devdiscourse — Kaziranga's tourism growth as conservation and economic catalyst</li> </ul>
Read Full Story →News•Aug 29
Centre's Northeast Tourism Push: New RCS-UDAN Air Routes, Brahmaputra Cruise Terminals and a Homestay Overhaul
<p>Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat told the Lok Sabha on August 10 that the Ministry of Tourism is running a coordinated, multi-pronged strategy to boost tourism across all eight Northeastern states — Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim — combining new subsidised air routes, river-cruise infrastructure on the Brahmaputra, and a streamlined homestay and accommodation registration framework.</p><p>The reply set out a strategy that moves beyond conventional destination marketing, instead pairing digital promotion with concrete physical infrastructure — new flight routes, cruise terminals, and simplified accommodation rules meant to bring more small, locally-run tourism businesses into a formal, registered ecosystem.</p><h2>Background</h2><p>The Northeast has long been positioned by the Centre as an under-tapped tourism frontier, held back historically by limited air connectivity, patchy river and road infrastructure, and an unregulated, informal homestay sector that made it difficult for tourists to find consistent quality and for hosts to access formal support. The Ministry of Tourism's push detailed in the Lok Sabha reply builds on several years of incremental work, including the annual International Tourism Mart held in the Northeast since 2013, and represents an attempt to bring air connectivity, waterway infrastructure, and accommodation regulation together under one coordinated push rather than as separate, disconnected schemes.</p><p>A parallel and complementary move came from the Assam Cabinet, which approved the Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development and Registration) Rules, 2026 — a single-window registration system covering hotels, resorts, motels, guest houses, lodges, service apartments, homestays, tented accommodation and heritage hotels, with registrations valid for three years and automatically renewable. This state-level framework operates alongside the Ministry of Tourism's own Incredible India Homestay Scheme, a voluntary Silver/Gold/Diamond classification overlay that homestay owners can opt into once registered under their state's mandatory legal framework.</p><h2>Key Details</h2><p>Under the RCS-UDAN scheme, extended through Viability Gap Funding via the Champion Service Sector Scheme, the following Northeast routes have now been designated as Tourism RCS routes:</p><ul><li>Dibrugarh-Dimapur and Dimapur-Dibrugarh</li><li>Dimapur-Imphal and Imphal-Dimapur</li><li>Agartala-Aizawl and Aizawl-Agartala</li><li>Dibrugarh-Imphal and Imphal-Dibrugarh</li><li>Hollongi-Guwahati and Guwahati-Hollongi</li></ul><p>These routes are intended to connect the region's key tourist gateways to one another directly, rather than routing NER travellers through longer connections via metro hubs outside the region.</p><p>On waterways, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is developing new cruise terminals along the Brahmaputra at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati and Guijan — expanding the river's embarkation and disembarkation points for the growing Brahmaputra cruise tourism segment. The two terminal projects at Biswanath Ghat and Neamati alone carry a combined investment of Rs 158 crore, with construction work reported to have commenced from March 13. IWAI, working with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, is also developing navigational lighthouses at Pandu, Silghat, Biswanath and Bogibeel, with geotechnical investigations and designs already completed for these. Biswanath Ghat sits directly opposite Kaziranga National Park and is home to a community of weavers, fishermen, farmers and boat-makers, while Neamati Ghat functions as the principal gateway to Majuli, the world's largest river island, known for its Vaishnavite monasteries and Mising and Deori tribal communities.</p><p>On accommodation, the Assam Cabinet's 2026 Rules create a single-window registration system intended to cut regulatory delays and formalise the homestay sector specifically — a segment the Ministry's own national strategy has separately flagged as central to authentic, community-based tourism experiences in the region.</p><h2>At a Glance</h2><table><tr><th>Initiative</th><th>Investment / Scope</th><th>Purpose</th></tr><tr><td>RCS-UDAN Tourism Routes</td><td>10 NER routes designated (5 route-pairs)</td><td>Direct air connectivity between NER tourist hubs</td></tr><tr><td>Biswanath Ghat & Neamati cruise terminals</td><td>Rs 158 crore combined</td><td>New embarkation points for Brahmaputra river cruises</td></tr><tr><td>Additional cruise terminals</td><td>Silghat, Guijan (under development)</td><td>Expand river-cruise network across Assam</td></tr><tr><td>Navigational lighthouses</td><td>Pandu, Silghat, Biswanath, Bogibeel</td><td>Safety infrastructure for river cruise/cargo traffic</td></tr><tr><td>Assam Tourism Accommodation Rules 2026</td><td>Single-window, 3-year renewable registration</td><td>Formalise hotels, homestays, heritage properties statewide</td></tr></table><h2>Local Impact</h2><p>For residents of riverside villages like Biswanath Ghat, cruise terminal development means a direct link into the tourism economy for communities whose livelihoods currently centre on weaving, farming, fishing and boat-making — an opportunity to diversify income through hospitality, guiding and craft sales as cruise passenger traffic increases. For Majuli's Mising and Deori communities, better terminal infrastructure at Neamati Ghat could ease the island's chronic accessibility challenges, a long-standing constraint on tourism to what is already one of Assam's most culturally significant destinations.</p><p>The new RCS-UDAN tourism routes stand to particularly benefit smaller regional hubs like Dimapur, Aizawl and Agartala, giving travellers direct connections between destinations that currently often require indirect routing, potentially shortening trip planning for multi-state Northeast itineraries. Meanwhile, Assam's single-window accommodation registration is likely to matter most to small, family-run homestay operators, for whom navigating multiple regulatory approvals has historically been a bigger barrier to formal registration than the underlying cost of compliance itself.</p><h2>What Happens Next</h2><p>Construction on the Biswanath Ghat and Neamati cruise terminals is underway following the March 13 start date, with completion timelines to be watched closely given their role in expanding the Brahmaputra cruise circuit. The designated RCS-UDAN tourism routes will depend on airline uptake under the Viability Gap Funding mechanism to translate from policy designation into actual scheduled flights. On the regulatory side, the rollout of Assam's single-window registration system under the 2026 Rules is expected to be tested by how many existing informal homestays actually come forward to register under the new, simplified process in the months ahead.</p><h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2><h3>What did the Union Tourism Minister tell the Lok Sabha about the Northeast?</h3><p>Gajendra Singh Shekhawat outlined a coordinated strategy combining new RCS-UDAN air routes, Brahmaputra cruise terminal development, and accommodation registration reforms to boost tourism across all eight Northeastern states.</p><h3>Which new air routes have been designated for Northeast tourism?</h3><p>Ten routes (five route-pairs) have been designated as Tourism RCS routes: Dibrugarh-Dimapur, Dimapur-Imphal, Agartala-Aizawl, Dibrugarh-Imphal, and Hollongi-Guwahati, along with their return legs.</p><h3>What cruise terminals are being built on the Brahmaputra?</h3><p>New terminals are under development at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati and Guijan, with the Biswanath Ghat and Neamati projects together carrying an investment of Rs 158 crore.</p><h3>Why is Neamati Ghat significant for tourism?</h3><p>Neamati Ghat serves as the main gateway to Majuli, the world's largest river island, known for its Vaishnavite monasteries and Mising and Deori tribal communities.</p><h3>What is the Assam Tourism Accommodation Rules 2026?</h3><p>It is a new regulatory framework approved by the Assam Cabinet that creates a single-window registration system for hotels, resorts, homestays, heritage properties and other accommodation types, with registrations valid for three years and automatically renewable.</p><h3>What is the Incredible India Homestay Scheme?</h3><p>It is the Ministry of Tourism's voluntary Silver/Gold/Diamond classification overlay for homestays, which operates alongside each state's own mandatory homestay registration framework, such as Assam's 2026 Rules.</p><h3>What lighthouse infrastructure is being developed alongside the cruise terminals?</h3><p>The Inland Waterways Authority of India, with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, is developing navigational lighthouses at Pandu, Silghat, Biswanath and Bogibeel to support safe river cruise and cargo traffic on the Brahmaputra.</p><script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[ {"@type":"Question","name":"What did the Union Tourism Minister tell the Lok Sabha about the Northeast?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Gajendra Singh Shekhawat outlined a coordinated strategy combining new RCS-UDAN air routes, Brahmaputra cruise terminal development, and accommodation registration reforms to boost tourism across all eight Northeastern states."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Which new air routes have been designated for Northeast tourism?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ten routes (five route-pairs) have been designated as Tourism RCS routes: Dibrugarh-Dimapur, Dimapur-Imphal, Agartala-Aizawl, Dibrugarh-Imphal, and Hollongi-Guwahati, along with their return legs."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What cruise terminals are being built on the Brahmaputra?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"New terminals are under development at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati and Guijan, with the Biswanath Ghat and Neamati projects together carrying an investment of Rs 158 crore."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"Why is Neamati Ghat significant for tourism?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Neamati Ghat serves as the main gateway to Majuli, the world's largest river island, known for its Vaishnavite monasteries and Mising and Deori tribal communities."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Assam Tourism Accommodation Rules 2026?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It is a new regulatory framework approved by the Assam Cabinet that creates a single-window registration system for hotels, resorts, homestays, heritage properties and other accommodation types, with registrations valid for three years and automatically renewable."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What is the Incredible India Homestay Scheme?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"It is the Ministry of Tourism's voluntary Silver/Gold/Diamond classification overlay for homestays, which operates alongside each state's own mandatory homestay registration framework, such as Assam's 2026 Rules."}}, {"@type":"Question","name":"What lighthouse infrastructure is being developed alongside the cruise terminals?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Inland Waterways Authority of India, with the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships, is developing navigational lighthouses at Pandu, Silghat, Biswanath and Bogibeel to support safe river cruise and cargo traffic on the Brahmaputra."}} ]} </script><h2>Sources</h2><p>NE India Broadcast; EventFAQs India; Travel Turtle; The Arunachal Times; The Sentinel Assam; Assam Tribune.</p>
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🦏 Wildlife • Golaghat
Kaziranga National Park
Home to the largest population of one-horned rhinoceros.
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Orang National Park
Known as mini Kaziranga, rich in biodiversity.
Explore Wildlife →🦏 Wildlife • Tinsukia
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park sits in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra and Dibru rivers in Assam's Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, about 12 km north of Tinsukia town. Spanning roughly 340-425 sq km depending on the boundary survey cited, it is recognised as one of the world's significant biodiversity hotspots and was declared a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, one of the largest riverine biosphere reserves in India. The park was originally notified to protect the white-winged wood duck (Asarcornis scutulata), a globally endangered species that finds sanctuary in its swamps and semi-evergreen forest patches. Just as distinctive are its feral horses, a population of roughly 50 animals concentrated around the Churkey Chapori grasslands in the park's north, popularly believed to descend from army horses that escaped or were released during World War II supply operations through the region. Surveys have recorded 36 mammal species, 502 bird species, 104 fish species, 43 reptile species, 105 butterfly species, and around 680 plant species within the park. Primates include the Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, and slow loris. The wetlands, particularly the adjoining Maguri-Motapung Beel, are a major wintering ground for migratory waterfowl, drawing birdwatchers alongside conservation researchers each cold season. Habitat here is unusually varied for a single protected area: tropical moist deciduous forest, tropical semi-evergreen forest, Salix swamp forest, moist evergreen patches, riverine grassland, and canebrake, shaped by the constantly shifting channels of the Brahmaputra and Dibru. Access is predominantly by country boat rather than jeep, since much of the park is riverine island and wetland terrain, giving a visit here a markedly different character from Assam's better-known dry-land parks like Kaziranga or Manas.
Explore Wildlife →🦏 Wildlife • Nagaon
Laokhowa-Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Laokhowa and Burhachapori are two adjoining wildlife sanctuaries on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra in Assam's Nagaon district, together forming a wildlife corridor between some of the state's most important protected areas: Kaziranga lies to the east, Orang and Pobitora to the west, Pakke-Nameri to the north, and the Karbi Anglong reserve forests to the south. Laokhowa alone covers about 70 sq km of riverine grassland and semi-evergreen forest, a landscape shaped by the Brahmaputra's shifting channels much like Kaziranga's. The sanctuary's most significant recent milestone is the natural return of the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Rhinos had been poached to local extinction here in the 1980s; in December 2023, two rhinos moved into the sanctuary of their own accord from neighbouring habitat, the first confirmed sighting of the species here in decades, and forest staff have monitored them closely since. Elephants, royal Bengal tigers, and Asiatic water buffalo also use the sanctuary, alongside barking deer, fishing cat, leopard cat, civet, and wild pig. Birdlife is a major draw: more than 225 species have been recorded, making the sanctuary an increasingly popular stop for birders visiting central Assam alongside Kaziranga. The wetlands and grasslands also support a breeding population of around 39 fish species, 9 amphibian species, and 14 reptile species, underlining how much of the sanctuary's ecological value sits below the waterline as well as above it. Because the rhino population here is newly re-established rather than long-standing, Laokhowa-Burhachapori offers a genuinely different visitor narrative from Assam's flagship parks: a conservation-recovery story still unfolding, rather than an already-stabilised population. Visitors interested in Assam's broader rhino-conservation landscape, not just Kaziranga's, will find this sanctuary a meaningful complement to a Kaziranga trip.
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