Assam's Kaziranga National Park restarts its due elephant safaris, after a few days of its reopening. However, bookings for only 37 seats were allowed practising COVID-19 safety protocols.
The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve were thrown open to visitors on October 21.
Assam Minister of Excise, Forest and Environment and Fisheries Parimal Suklabaidya greeted and welcomed the tourists to 'get amazed at majestic Kaziranga'.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic since March and a disastrous flood that occurred in Assam in the month of May, the National park had remained closed and was recently opened for visitors but only Jeep safaris were permitted whereas elephant safaris were put on hold till now.
As per the park authorities, tourists from both Assam and outside the state, including foreign tourists, have been visiting the spot in large numbers.
The first batch of tourists then enjoyed a one-hour ride in the forest. The National park is which is famously known for the endangered one-horned Indian rhinoceros and is also for the important population of tigers, bison, swamp deer and leopards.
Regarding the elephant safaris, Kaziranga National Park director P. Sivakumar, said that they have resumed the park with just 10 elephants and the number of elephants will be increased soon depending on the response in the following days. He also added that privately-owned elephants would be allowed to engage in safaris at the Bagori range of the park after November 10.
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He also added that adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols the park has allowed only 37 seat occupancy for the Kohara range elephant safaris. He pointed out that usually, the park gets 100 per cent booking, i.e., 40 seats per day for the elephant safaris.
The park authorities also stated that the Laokhowa-Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary will also reopen for visitors from November.