The Kaziranga National Park has added new areas and activities since the popular Unesco World Heritage Site reopened for visitors on October 1 to enhance tourist experience and footfall.

A senior park official said after the inauguration of the elephant safari by minister Atul Bora for both domestic and foreign tourists on Friday that they have introduced elephant safari under the Burapahar Range, a new 10km cycling route under the Agaratoli range and advanced the timing of the jeep safari under the Bagori range by half an hour (6.30am) specifically for bird watchers.

The park official said that along with introducing elephant safari in Burapahar, they had reopened the elephant safari under the Bagori and Kohora ranges of the park, adding that the demand for elephant safari is more from tourists.

“The new additions/activities we are sure will enhance both tourist experience and footfall along with our regular activities,” the official said.

Tourist response is more than encouraging since the KNP, famous for its one-horned rhinos, reopened on October 1, attracting 28,980 visitors, including 579 foreigners, which is double than last year’s figure, especially of foreigners.

In terms of revenue, the KNP has collected Rs 65,37515 in October.

Minister Bora said in a post after inaugurating the elephant safari, “...This morning, amidst the lush beauty of Kaziranga, I experienced immense joy while taking an elephant safari with visitors from around the world.”

He added: “I was thrilled to witness the park’s renowned wildlife, including the famous one-horned rhinoceros, deer and wild buffalo. I encourage everyone to visit Kaziranga to experience its unparalleled beauty and create lasting memories.”

The Agaratoli forest area was also officially opened to tourists today, Bora said.

The inauguration was attended by Sonali Ghosh, field director of the KazirangaNational Park and TigerReserve, and Arun Vignesh, divisional forest officer, among others.

Foreign tourists from the US and Belgium were among those who undertook elephant safari on Friday.

Bora said tourist footfall had increased since Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited and spent a night in the KNP in March this year. He undertook both elephant and the jeep safari.

Elephant safari was open to tourists on Friday at the KNP.

The KNPTR recorded the highest number of visitors for the park in 2023-24 since its inception as a park in 1974, attracting 3,27,493 tourists, including 13919 foreigners, generating Rs 8,81,84,161 in revenue.

In 2022-23, tourist footfall was 314,796 and revenue collection Rs 8,33,85,483.

The KNP began itsjourney as a reserved forest in 1908 before it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and then a national park tag in 1974.

An official statement issued on April 3 this year had said the key attractions in the 2023-24 season were the jungle safari and elephant safari options.

“Added opportunitiesfor a cycling trail in Karbi-Anglong, trekking routes in Panbari forest range and Chirang added to the attractions.... New routes under boat safari for dolphin watching and the Panpur and Burachapori jeep and cycling safari circuits were also made operational this year,” the statementhad said.