Kaziranga becomes 3rd most visited national park with 35% tourist surge
and Tiger Reserve (KNP&TR) has emerged as India's third most visited national park, behind only Periyar (Kerala) and Ranthambore (Rajasthan). The park recorded 443,636 visitors from Oct 1 last year to May 18, marking a 35% overall increase and a 25% rise in foreign tourists.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Field director Sonali Ghosh attributed this surge to high-profile visits by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and over 60 Heads of Mission accompanied by external affairs minister S Jaishankar. She highlighted the significant 18,463 foreign visitors as evidence of Kaziranga's growing reputation as a symbol of conservation and premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
"Kaziranga's tourism boom stems from diverse activities, improved infrastructure, high-profile visits, strategic marketing, successful conservation efforts, economic benefits, and the park's natural appeal," Ghosh said.
Infrastructure upgrades including better roads, eco-friendly accommodations, and enhanced visitor amenities have made the park more accessible, she said. Under chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership, Kaziranga has established itself among global tourism destinations, she added, saying, "The Assam govt has prioritised
and incentivised electric safari vehicles in its recent budget."
Aggressive marketing campaigns and govt-led initiatives have promoted Kaziranga as a premier
destination, she said, adding that hosting major events such as the International Tourism Mart from Nov 26 to 29 last year also increased its global appeal.
The park's successful conservation of the one-horned rhinoceros continues to attract wildlife enthusiasts while stimulating the local economy through job creation in hospitality, transport, and handicrafts sectors.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
She highlighted that proactive efforts have promoted off-beat tourism in buffer areas: "From cycling at Laokhowa during silk-cotton tree blooms to boat safaris across the Brahmaputra and specialised birding trails, we've focused on wellness and outdoor experiences."
"A key initiative was establishing eco-shops operated by the Kaziranga Staff Welfare Society, providing markets for eco-friendly products from local Eco Development Committees," she added.
The park closes for tourists from Monday until the next tourism season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Total area sown under kharif crops in India crosses 829 lakh hectares
New Delhi, July 28: The total area sown under kharif crops in the ongoing current season has increased by 4 per cent to 829.64 lakh hectares, so far this year, compared with the corresponding figure of 797.91 lakh hectares in the same period last year, data released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on Monday showed. The increase in sown area augurs well for higher production, which, in turn, would increase the incomes of farmers and also help to keep food inflation in check. The official figures show that the area under rice is 245.33 lakh hectares as on July 27 this year, compared to 236.16 lakh hectares during the same period last year. The area under pulses such as urad and moong has been reported at 93.05 lakh hectares as compared to 89.94 lakh hectares during the same period last year. This increase is a positive development as an increase in the production of pulses plays a key role in controlling inflation. The area covered under coarse cereals or millets such as jowar, bajra, and ragi has shot up to 160.72 lakh hectares during the current season so far, from 154.97 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous year. The sown area has gone up in the current season as better monsoon rains have facilitated the sowing in unirrigated areas of the country, which account for close to 50 per cent of the country's farmland. The area under sugarcane has also increased to 55.16 lakh hectares from 54.88 lakh hectares in the same period of the previous year. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 28 this year, approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 14 kharif crops for the marketing season 2025-26 to ensure remunerative prices to the growers for their crops and incentivise production. The highest absolute increase in MSP over the previous year has been recommended for nigerseed (Rs 820 per quintal), followed by ragi (Rs 596 per quintal), cotton (Rs 589 per quintal), and sesamum (Rs 579 per quintal).
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
How NEP facilitated a UK-India partnership
In July 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi set out a new vision for education in India, the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP). This visionary framework for the very first time identified internationalisation of education as a national priority and invited the world to collaborate and co-create with India's thriving higher education ecosystem. Provisions for foreign university campuses, joint and dual degrees, credit transfers, and an increased focus on research and innovation aim to propel India towards becoming one of the world's leading knowledge economies. Almost exactly five years on, India is celebrating five years of the National Education Policy in action and India and the UK have prioritised education in our refreshed and forward-looking Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Last week in the UK, Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Modi set out a vision for 2035 that will build on our already strong education and skills partnership, nurturing the next generation of global talent, creating opportunities for cross cultural learning and accelerating our cooperation and ambition through an annual strategic education dialogue. And the future of our education partnership is already clear to see, with the opportunity to access the UK's world-class education growing right here in India. In July, the University of Southampton became the first foreign university to open a comprehensive branch campus in India under the University Grants Commission regulations. We were delighted to attend the opening ceremony in Gurugram along with dignitaries from the Government of India and the University of Southampton. But it was among students that the excitement was most palpable – one told us that she was delighted to have the chance to attend a UK university without having to travel thousands of miles from her family. It is students like her that this partnership benefits most. This is an important milestone in the UK-India relationship, which has been made possible by the NEP, the UGC regulations and the UK and India's shared commitment to internationalisation, inclusion and innovation. And with four other UK universities set to follow Southampton's lead and open campuses in India next year, and two more set to launch soon in GIFT City, this excitement is continuing to grow. With some of the UK's best universities bringing their brands to India, thousands of bright Indian students will have new opportunities to gain the global skills that India's fast-growing economy needs. These students will be the pillars of India's knowledge economy and integral to the achievement of the vision of Viksit Bharat. But these university openings are just one strand in the golden thread of people-to-people connections linking the UK and India. For decades, British and Indian students have travelled to each other's countries, enriching our living bridge and playing their important part in our vibrant research, education and skills partnership. In the UK, we are proud to celebrate our 1.9 million strong Indian diaspora. Their contributions to the arts, language, culture, food, sports and everything else have been felt in towns and cities across the UK. We are at an inflection point in transnational education. Together, both countries are shaping a future-ready, equitable and innovative model of transnational education that prioritises access, quality, and cross-cultural exchange. UK campuses in India are only one part of the story: More India-UK joint and dual degrees, centres of excellence with industry, and science and research hubs are joining the thriving Indian higher education ecosystem. All this creates greater opportunities for young people, including for British students to spend time studying in India. The bespoke Young Professionals Scheme (YPS), a visa scheme which allows young Indian and British graduates to live, study, travel and work in the other country for up to two years, is also an enabler of that. The timing of our commitment to deepen our educational partnership could not be more important. In a world of geopolitical, geo-economic and technological shifts, and greater demand for higher education, it is crucial that our education systems evolve to drive innovation and build a skilled and forward-looking talent pool, ready to address global challenges and contribute to a safe and sustainable future for all. That is why the UK and India's intellectual partnership will build on the strong foundations of the first five years of progress we have seen under the NEP. We will be responsive to emerging opportunities, adapt to the rapid advancement of technology, and strengthen our collaboration. And we hope to see universities continuing to partner to align their curricula, processes, and support systems to meet students' international aspirations. As the NEP shows, regulations, when thoughtfully crafted and consistently implemented, can be powerful enablers of international learning. India and the UK are collaborating to build institutions that can foster a generation of globally minded, socially conscious leaders equipped to tackle complex transnational challenges. Education is the foundation on which economies grow, and where innovations that create the opportunities of the future are shaped. The UK and India will continue to nurture the next generation of talent through our global education and skills partnership – and we are excited to see what the next five years of the NEP will bring. Lindy Cameron is British high commissioner to India and Alison Barrett is country director, British Council India. The views expressed are personal.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Decarbonising India's highways with LNG
India's economic ambitions are rapidly taking shape. Under Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the country is investing heavily in infrastructure, manufacturing, and logistics, while expanding its global influence. But this growth journey must be rooted in sustainability. A green India cannot be an afterthought; it must be the foundation of our progress. LNG(Reuters file photo | Representational image) As India sets its sights on becoming the world's third-largest economy, road transport remains both an enabler of growth and a major contributor to emissions. Long-haul freight logistics, in particular, is heavily dependent on diesel, making it a significant source of air pollution. With transport accounting for nearly 15% of India's total emissions, decarbonising this sector is no longer optional, it is essential to meet our net-zero goals. India's logistics backbone relies on more than four million trucks that move 70% of the nation's freight. As freight demand is projected to quadruple by 2050, the number of trucks could rise to over 17 million — posing an enormous environmental challenge if diesel remains the norm. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a practical and scalable solution for long-haul transport. It delivers 30% lower CO₂ emissions, up to 59% and 100% reduction in NOx and SOx respectively, over 90% lower particulate matter, and zero sulphur emissions compared to diesel. Operationally, LNG trucks offer longer driving ranges, reduced engine noise, and better handling, making them ideally suited for heavy-duty use. While hydrogen trucks may become viable in the long-run, LNG is ready now. As a crucial bridge fuel, LNG enables immediate decarbonisation of the heavy transport sector. LNG-powered trucks offer impressive range capabilities, covering up to 1,200 km on a single tank — and up to 2,400 km with twin-tank configurations. Currently, there are around 24 LNG stations operational across India, spanning key states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for green logistics. For long-distance freight, LNG provides the efficiency and range required. For short-haul and intra-city deliveries, electric vehicles (EVs) offer a clean, zero-emission option. Together, LNG and EVs present a dual strategy that can significantly reduce emissions across the logistics chain while aligning with ESG goals and improving total cost of ownership. The push toward a gas-based economy is central to India's energy strategy. The government has laid out a roadmap to increase the share of natural gas in India's energy mix from 6% to 15% by 2030. Infrastructure is scaling up rapidly with new LNG terminals, pipelines, and city gas distribution networks. Within this framework, LNG-powered trucking aligns perfectly with national goals. If even a third of the country's trucking fleet transitions to LNG in the next seven to 10 years — as explored in recent policy discussions — it would mark a massive step toward energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Despite its benefits, adoption of LNG in Indian trucking remains limited. Only 1,000+ LNG trucks are currently operational — a small fraction of what is needed to make a meaningful impact. The pace of adoption reflects the necessity of building a stronger ecosystem, marked by broader LNG refuelling availability and robust financial support from banks and NBFCs The economics make sense too. Although the initial cost of an LNG truck is about 40% higher than diesel, the operating costs are lower. Due to operating costs being much lower than diesel, the use of the vehicle helps in bottom-line profitability and easy payback. It also ensures buyers of higher EMI affordability and better environmental performance. For many fleets, the payback period can be as short as 18 to 24 months. China's rapid scale-up offers an instructive model. In just five years, the country has expanded its LNG truck fleet almost threefold, with over a million LNG trucks on the road as of 2025. Today, nearly 25% of new heavy trucks sold in China run on alternative fuels such as natural gas and electric power — up from just 6% in 2018. This shift has contributed meaningfully to improved air quality and reduced emissions. India must act now. Global ESG mandates are tightening, and companies across sectors are being asked to reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains. Green logistics is no longer a 'good-to-have' — it's fast becoming a business imperative. The road to Viksit Bharat cannot run on diesel alone. It must be future-ready, low-carbon, and commercially sustainable. LNG offers the clearest path to begin that transition today. With the right policy signals, industry collaboration, and ecosystem investment, LNG can emerge as the dominant fuel for long-haul freight by the end of this decade. This transition will not happen overnight, but the alignment of climate goals, clean technology, and economic incentives presents a rare and powerful opportunity. LNG may not be the final stop, but it is the bridge we must build now — one that can carry India's transport and logistics sector toward a cleaner, more resilient future. Because the journey to a developed India must also be a journey to a greener India. This article is authored by Anand Mimani, CEO, GreenLine.
