Kaziranga (Assam) [India], November 1 (HBTV): Assam Agriculture Minister Atul Bora inaugurated the elephant safari for the current tourist season in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve on Friday morning.

The minister inaugurated the elephant safari by cutting the ribbon at Mihimukh under the Kohora forest range in the national park. He also performed an elephant puja. Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, along with other senior forest officials, was present on the occasion.

Notably, Minister Bora mentioned that many foreign tourists also took an elephant ride today. "The DFO informed me that tourist footfall is expected to increase this season. The park has already generated a good amount of revenue through jeep safaris, and I hope more tourists will come here," he said.

"A total of 28,980 tourists visited the national park in October this year, setting a new record. Compared to the previous year, the number of foreign tourists has nearly doubled this October. This is a good sign for us. Today, 3-4 groups of foreign tourists took an elephant ride. Currently, 10-11 elephants are engaged at Kohora and 35 elephants at the Bagori Forest Range for elephant safaris," said Sonali Ghosh.

The national park reopened for visitors for the new tourist season on October 1. Wildlife enthusiasts and tourists can now look forward to witnessing the park's iconic wildlife, including the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, tigers, elephants, and various bird species.

Notably, authorities have also been working to prevent any poaching attempts in the region. On Thursday, a joint team from the Biswanath district police and the forest department arrested two poachers.

Ghosh added, "Based on intelligence regarding miscreants planning to hunt a rhino, two individuals, identified as Rasidul Haque (28) and Sibe Ali (36), were arrested by Biswanath police and the forest department on October 26."   

(ANI)