Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal speaking to a kid during the opening of Kaziranga National Park at Bagori on Saturday.

The Kaziranga National Park (KNP) was opened for visitors on Saturday.

Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal ceremoniously put the Bagori and Kohora Range of the park open for the tourists at functions held at Bagori and Mihimukh in Kaziranga.

Speaking at a function organised at Bagori (Western Part) Range of the national park, chief minister Sonowal said that State government has taken multifarious steps for beautification, conservation and development of the world heritage site.

Sonowal said that it is a matter of great pride and prestige that Kaziranga National Park, which is home to the world famous one horned rhinoceros, has earned its name in the 17 most iconic centres of the country.

He exhorted every stakeholder to make a united effort for the serenity and beauty of the park.

Emphasising on the cleanliness of the Park, Sonowal said that all households, restaurants, hotels, resorts must keep their peripheral areas clean to make Kaziranga more beautiful and serene.

Sonowal also said that for protecting and preserving the rich bio-diversity of the Kaziranga, a 32 KM long flyover will be constructed.

He also said that for the protection of bio-diversity and other natural resources of Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, Pabitara, Dibru Saikhowa, State government has already taken several measures.

Sonowal further said that because of the unified efforts of the local people, forest staffers and security personnel, rhino poaching has come down manifold and he attributed this development to the synergy between civil, police and forest administrations of the five districts.

Stating that the density of flora and fauna in Kaziranga National Park has increased considerably, Sonowal said that formation of task force, fast track courts for the trial of poachers, construction of highlands and supply of food stuff to the animals during flood along with medical attention have contributed to this increase.

Environment and forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya, agriculture minister Atul Bora, water resources minister Keshab Mahanta, MP Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, MLA Bimal Bora, principal chief conservator of forests AM Singh also spoke on the occasion.