Guwahati: Manas National Park will remain closed to tourists from June 5 until further orders, with authorities suspending all ecotourism activities in the reserve ahead of the monsoon season.
According to an official order issued by the Manas Tiger Reserve authorities on May 16, all tourism activities, including jeep safaris, elephant safaris and boating, will remain suspended during the period.
The order stated that the closure has been enforced in accordance with guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The directive was issued by C. Ramesh, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of Manas Tiger Reserve.
Forest officials said the annual closure forms part of conservation measures during the monsoon season, when tourist movement inside protected forest areas is restricted to minimise disturbance to wildlife and facilitate habitat management.
Officials said the park witnessed significant tourist footfall during the current tourism season, recording nearly 60,000 visitors, including around 1,600 foreign tourists.
The reserve also generated revenue of approximately Rs 1.5 crore during the season, officials added.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Assam, Manas National Park is regarded as one of India’s important wildlife habitats and a major ecotourism destination in the Northeast.