Guwahati: The Panbari Safari zone of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve officially reopened to tourists on Saturday.
The reopening has drawn interest from birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts eager to explore Panbari Reserve Forest, often described as the “Rainforest of Kaziranga,” known for its tropical semi-evergreen woodlands and biodiversity.
The development comes at a time when climate-related floods and habitat pressures continue to affect the park’s ecosystem.
Spanning a variety of forest habitats, Panbari is home to rare primates such as the Western hoolock gibbon, over 553 recorded bird species, and several endangered reptiles, including freshwater turtles. The safari zone had earlier reopened in February 2025 after being closed for nearly 14 years for infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements.
Authorities have since introduced improved trails, designated observation points, and regulated guided tours aimed at minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
A 2025 assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature rated Kaziranga’s conservation outlook as “good with some concerns.” While populations of the one-horned rhinoceros remain stable at over 2,613 individuals and tiger numbers show resilience, the report noted rising climate threats.
Each monsoon, nearly 70 per cent of Kaziranga’s area is submerged due to Brahmaputra floods. Studies indicate that highly flood-prone zones in northeastern Assam expanded by about 7 per cent between 2015 and 2019, attributed to intense rainfall and soil instability.
Areas near Panbari are particularly vulnerable, raising concerns over habitat fragmentation and wildlife displacement.
Forest officials said that carrying capacity limits, eco-friendly tourism guidelines, and strict monitoring have been implemented to prevent overuse.
Regulated jeep safaris have resumed with advance booking systems to ensure controlled visitor flow. Revenue from tourism continues to support anti-poaching operations and local livelihoods, particularly in guiding and hospitality sectors.
Conservationists say that while eco-tourism can help raise awareness and funding, unplanned infrastructure expansion and human-wildlife conflict remain ongoing risks.
The challenge, they say, is maintaining ecological integrity without compromising economic benefits for surrounding communities.
The reopening of Panbari Safari was described as marking not only the revival of tourism but also a continued test of Kaziranga’s conservation balance, reflecting the delicate interplay between biodiversity protection and sustainable development in one of India’s notable wildlife areas.