The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam has experienced a record increase in visitors during the 2025-26 tourism year, attracting more than 548,000 tourists, including over 32,000 from abroad, according to official figures.
Between April 1, 2025, and May 28, 2026, a total of 548,319 tourists, among them 32,765 foreign visitors, visited the park.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the growth as an example of how conservation-led development can stimulate economic progress.
In a post on X, he stated: “What happens when conservation is treated not as a constraint on development, but as a catalyst for growth? @kaziranga_ may have the answer. With a record-breaking 5.48 lakh visitors since April 2025, the national park is emerging as one of India’s most compelling tourism success stories.”
The Chief Minister noted that financial year 2025-26 marked Kaziranga’s best performance on record, with tourist arrivals rising to 468,000 compared with 406,000 in the previous year and 155,000 a decade ago. Foreign visitor numbers also jumped sharply from 17,693 to 30,474 within a year.
He added: “When travellers from across the world choose Assam, it validates our efforts to build globally competitive tourism infrastructure.”
Sarma highlighted Assam’s strong conservation record, noting that years of zero rhino poaching in Kaziranga have been achieved alongside increased golden tiger sightings, a growing rhino population, and the return of migratory species such as the Smew. He mentioned initiatives including boat safaris in Panpur and Laokhowa-Burachapori, cycling trails, birding circuits, trekking routes, and community-led tourism are creating new livelihoods.
Regarding infrastructure, the Chief Minister referred to the forthcoming Kaziranga Elevated Corridor project, which will support safer wildlife movement and improve connectivity, emphasising that “development and conservation must move together.” He outlined government aims as: “Protect nature, create livelihoods, build destinations that the world wishes to experience.”
Park Field Director Sonali Ghosh stated that Kaziranga has seen a four-fold increase in tourist numbers over the past decade, with foreign visitors now comprising approximately 4.5 per cent of total arrivals. She reported that around 30,850 tourists, including 175 foreigners, visited the park in May 2026 alone.
She highlighted the park’s international stature, recalling visits by Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and over 60 Heads of Mission during the Advantage Assam programme. Additionally, visits by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and French Ambassador Thierry Mathou were noted.
Ghosh said: “Under the able leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Kaziranga has earned its place among global tourism destinations, with the New York Times recently listing Assam and Kaziranga among must-visit destinations.”
Official records show tourist arrivals at Kaziranga were 155,107 in 2016-17, indicating consistent growth over time.
Park authorities credited the increase to new tourism initiatives such as bird safaris in Panbari, cycling tours in Kohora, jeep and boat safaris in Biswanath, and the “Kaziranga beyond National Park” programme. Community-run eco-shops and local souvenir efforts have also supported rural livelihoods.
New attractions like trekking at Hemtap Hill in Silimkhowa village have further boosted visitor numbers, with local hotels, restaurants, and shops reporting higher business activity.