Kaziranga (Assam): The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) authority on Friday officially opened the Bagori Range (Limited Circuit) for tourists, giving visitors a chance to enjoy the park’s famed wildlife during the festive season. The initiative was aimed at enhancing the Durga Puja celebration experience for both domestic and international travellers.
Opening ceremony held in Bagori Range
The opening ceremony was attended by Lok Sabha MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLA Mrinal Saikia, and Field Director Dr Sonali Ghosh along with senior state and forest officials. Before the inauguration, attendees paid floral tributes to singer Zubeen Garg, the Assamese cultural icon who passed away recently in Singapore.
Speaking at the event, Dr Sonali Ghosh said, “We have opened the Bagori Range today as the roads here are clear. Our plan is to gradually open other ranges for tourists, including the Kohora Range, which is likely to reopen in October. Last year, we recorded more than 5 lakh tourist footfalls, and we hope this year’s numbers will be even higher.”
Kohora and Elephant Safari to open soon
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier announced that the Kohora Range (Central Range) of the park would likely open in the second week of October 2025, while the Elephant Safari would begin on November 1, 2025. These facilities are among the park’s biggest attractions for wildlife enthusiasts.
MLA Mrinal Saikia added, “With the Bagori Range open now, we are optimistic about welcoming more tourists this year. Gradually, the other ranges will also be opened.”
Boost to tourism during festival season
The reopening comes at a time when Assam expects a surge in tourist arrivals during the Durga Puja holidays. Officials believe that the early opening of Bagori will give visitors more opportunities to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to the one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, swamp deer, and tigers.
Kaziranga, which stretches across Assam’s Nagaon, Golaghat, and Sonitpur districts, is one of India’s most visited national parks and plays a vital role in the state’s tourism economy. The park attracts lakhs of visitors annually, contributing significantly to local livelihoods.
SIT probe into Zubeen Garg’s death
Meanwhile, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the untimely death of singer Zubeen Garg. Garg, celebrated as one of Assam’s foremost cultural icons, was mourned at the event, reflecting his deep connection with the people of the state.
Conclusion
The reopening of the Bagori Range marks the beginning of another tourist season at Kaziranga, with authorities confident of a stronger turnout this year. As other ranges prepare to open in phases, the park looks set to once again showcase Assam’s natural and cultural heritage to the world.