The World Heritage Site, Manas National Park, was opened for tourists on Wednesday.
The national park was inaugurated by the Deputy Chief of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Kampa Borgoyari in presence of a huge gathering and performers of Bihu dance, Zikir, Bodo dance and Naam Prasang.
A huge procession was taken out on the occasion. The colourful procession was participated by a large number of locals, elephants, members of different organizations and artistes.
Addressing the gathering, BTC Deputy Chief Borgoyari expected that this year visitors to the national park will increase manifold.
He informed that last year, a total of 480 foreign tourists visited the national park while the number of domestic tourists who visited the national park was 5,000.
Borgoyari also said, “The BTC administration with the help of State and Central Governments has taken several steps to improve the infrastructure of the Manas National Park.”
There are facilities of elephant safari and jeep safari for tourists in the national park. There is arrangement of 15 elephant safaris for the tourists.
Borgoyari admitted that the Manas National Park has faced the problem of encroachment.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by MCLA Gautam Das, BTC Principal Secretary Biren Chandra Phukan, Manas National Park Director Hiranya Sarma, BTC Tourism Secretary Robinson Mushahari and other officials.
According to information, already six foreign tourists including one from US and one from Holland are camping in Manas National Park.
Earlier, the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district of Assam was opened for tourists on Sunday.
Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya opened the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary for tourists at 8 am. Assam Minister of State for health Pijush Hazarika was also present at the event.
Ten elephants and 20 jeeps are the new additions for the safari inside the sanctuary. The jungle safari rates will be Rs 1300 for six persons on vehicles and Rs 500 per rider on elephants.