Guwahati, Oct 13: Assam’s 2026-27 wildlife tourism season gathered pace on Tuesday with Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary reopening, days after Manas and Kaziranga national parks welcomed visitors.
Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah formally reopened the sanctuary in Morigaon district, inaugurated a souvenir shop, took a jeep safari and visited the Interpretation Centre.
He also addressed a gathering attended by local residents, Forest Department officials and other stakeholders.
“Pleased to reopen the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary for the new tourism season, welcoming nature lovers and tourists back to its rich biodiversity,” Baruah said in a social media post, adding that he had inaugurated the souvenir shop, taken a safari and visited the Interpretation Centre.
The programme was attended by newly elected Nagaon Lok Sabha MP Devasish Sharma, Tiwa Autonomous Council Chief Executive Member Jibon Chandra Konwar, Mayong’s King Tarani Kanta Singha, senior forest officials and other dignitaries.
Sharma said local residents had urged the authorities to reopen the sanctuary before Durga Puja to support livelihoods during the festive season, following which the Forest Minister agreed to the request.
Pobitora recorded 35,371 visitors during the 2025-26 tourism season, an increase of nearly 3% over the previous season, Sharma said. More than 500 visitors were foreign tourists, he added.
He stressed the need to improve tourism infrastructure and create a conducive environment for stakeholders to help increase visitor numbers.
“Improving hotels, accommodation and other infrastructure would be essential,” he said, emphasising the need to promote homestays with the participation of local youth and residents.
The reopening comes amid the Assam government’s push to expand community-based tourism and improve accommodation options.
In June, the state Cabinet approved the Assam Tourism Accommodation (Development and Registration) Rules, 2026, introducing a single-window registration system for homestays and other tourist accommodation establishments, along with automatic renewal every three years.
The 2026-27 Budget also proposed a comprehensive homestay policy, including a 30% capital subsidy and 2% interest subvention for eligible registered homestays.
The measures are intended to encourage local participation and ensure tourism growth creates livelihood opportunities for communities.
Pobitora’s reopening follows the staggered start to Assam’s wildlife tourism season, with Manas National Park reopening on October 2 and Kaziranga National Park on October 3.