Kaziranga National Park, a globally recognised UNESCO World Heritage site and a crucial tiger habitat, is poised to undergo significant changes in its visitor management policies. The Assam Forest Department is actively considering a range of measures that could include a complete ban on mobile phones for tourists, mandatory online bookings for all safaris, and the introduction of a weekly closure day for the park.
These contemplated reforms are being evaluated to bolster wildlife conservation initiatives and foster more sustainable eco-tourism practices within the park. The impetus for these discussions stems from directives issued by the state's Forest Minister, alongside the imperative to comply with a Supreme Court order dated November 17, 2025, which laid down guidelines for all tiger reserves across the country.
Officials involved in the deliberations, speaking from Guwahati, confirmed that the process was initiated to identify effective strategies for promoting eco-tourism while rigorously adhering to the apex court's conservation mandates. The Supreme Court's comprehensive directions for tiger reserves have prompted a thorough re-assessment of existing operational protocols at Kaziranga, aiming to minimise human impact and enhance the undisturbed natural environment for its diverse wildlife, particularly the endangered one-horned rhinoceros and Bengal tigers.
It has been clarified that while extensive consultations with various stakeholders are currently ongoing, no definitive decisions have been made regarding the precise implementation of these proposed changes. The department is diligently collecting recommendations and feedback from all relevant parties, including local communities, tour operators, and conservation experts, before finalising any new visitor regulations. The move highlights a concerted effort to strike a delicate balance between facilitating tourism and safeguarding the ecological sanctity of one of India's most vital biodiversity hotspots.
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