Move will revive sector: Sonowal
GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, on Wednesday, formally opened the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) for tourists – domestic and foreign — for the year 2020-21. While jeep safaris started at the Kohora and Bagori ranges of the national park, the other two ranges with elephant safaris will be opened for tourists from November.
Addressing media persons on the occasion, the Chief Minister hoped with the opening of Kaziranga National Park, the State's Tourism sector will be revived after the COVID-19 induced lockdown situation. He also expressed optimism that the unemployed youths in and around Kaziranga would find meaningful employment again through jeep safari and other tourism-related activities.
Referring to the one-time financial assistance provided by the State government for the people engaged in jeep safaris and to alleviate their economic stress brought by COVID-19, Sonowal said that State government would take more such initiatives in the future for providing succour to the people engaged in the Tourism sector of the State. He also called on the people of the five districts covered by Park and also the local communities residing in the surrounding areas of the Park to extend full hospitality to the visitors coming from outside so that the best picture of State can be presented to the outside world.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the achievement of the State government in stopping rhino poaching to a great extend in the last four-and-half years. He thanked the people of the nearby areas for extending their full cooperation in eliminating the poaching incidents.
He also called on the people to maintain all COVID-19 protocols while visiting the Park and other such places of tourists' interest so that the pandemic can be contained.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Tuesday underlining the need to make conscious efforts by everyone to arrest the spread of COVID-19 during the forthcoming festival period, the Chief Minister urged everyone associated with the Tourism sector of the State to strictly follow the COVID-19 protocols issued by the Health authorities. He also urged the media persons to spread the news of opening of Kaziranga National Park for the year 2020-21 so that tourists from various places of the country and abroad can visit the Park and enjoy its natural beauty while also contributing to the revival of the State's Tourism industry.
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