The safari tour drivers, forest guides, homestays and hotel staff are back and eagerly awaiting tourists to flock in.
"From November we will start being fully occupied," they told us. A safari driver at Manas National Park said that during peak season he gets to drive into the forest at least three rounds each day.
No wonder that local communities eagerly await these winter months when wildlife enthusiasts and tourists throng the national parks and sanctuaries.
Local livelihoods largely depend directly or indirectly on the tourist traffic to these wildlife reserves.
Whether it is local cabs, hotels, roadside eateries, or nature guides, it is local communities who are the big stakeholders in the tourist economy and, in turn, for the conservation of forests.
The peak season extends till February-March. Indeed, in the thick Manas forests, the real season is after January, when the burning of grasses is done.
With the outset of winter and the year's heavy monsoon over, Assam's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are only beginning to buzz with activity.
"By February, the landscape is stark and ready to show wildlife more clearly," says a guide at the Pugmark Resort, one of the several well-designed resorts catering to Manas National Park.
At the reopening of the Manas National Park for the year's season in September, state tourism minister Jayanta Malla Baruah was reported to have said that Assam is gearing up and ready to increase tourist footfall for the coming 2024-2025 season.
"With its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, we expect a significant surge in tourists this season. This will not only enhance ecotourism but also contribute positively to the local economy," Baruah posted on his social media X account.
Overall, in 2023-2024, the tourist footfall in Assam comes to nearly one crore. This was stated by state chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on this year's World Tourism Day.
Denne historien er fra December 09, 2024-utgaven av The Statesman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 09, 2024-utgaven av The Statesman.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Maruti Suzuki to hike car prices upto 4 per cent from January
Maruti Suzuki is set to increase the prices of its car from January. The company said the move is to offset the impact of rising input costs and operational expenses.
Withdraw your PF directly from ATMs Starting next year: Labour secretary
The Labour Ministry is upgrading its IT systems to provide enhanced services to the country's massive workforce.
ADB lowers India's economic growth forecast to 6.5 pc for current fiscal
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday lowered India's economic growth forecast to 6.5% for the current financial year due to lower-than-expected growth in private investment and housing demand.
Policy continuity will be priority: RBI chief
Sanjay Malhotra also reaffirmed his commitment to financial inclusion
Stock market remains rangebound; IT, auto, and FMCG stocks gain
Stock market on Wednesday remained rangebound for the fourth consecutive session with IT, auto, and FMCG stocks gaining; energy lagged behind.
Attempts should be made to restore global calm: Nirmala Sitharaman
Outlining the priorities of the economy for the next decade, Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said attempts should be made to restore global calm and normalcy and noted that war or any form of disruption should be avoided.
Biden approves national security memo ahead of Trump's return
President Joe Biden has approved a new national security memorandum ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House that could serve as a road map for the incoming administration as it looks to counter growing cooperation among China, Iran, North Korea and Russia, the White House said Wednesday.
Taiwan demands that China end its military activity in nearby waters
Taiwan's military has detected Chinese ships since Monday, both off Taiwan and farther out along the first-island chain; Taiwanese media had said as many as 90 Chinese vessels are involved overall
Australian police launch a special operation to investigate increased antisemitic attacks
Australian federal police launched a special operation to investigate an increase in antisemitic threats and violence since the war between Israel and Hamas began last year.
Philippine vice president skips hearing into threats she made against the president
The Philippine vice president on Wednesday skipped the first hearing into threats she made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying she did not believe the investigation will be fair.
