Reported by Sasanka Talukdar
Bajali: Rare sightings of black panthers at Manas National Park have sparked a surge in tourist interest, turning the UNESCO World Heritage Site into a major attraction for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers from across India and abroad.
According to reports, three black panthers were recently spotted together in the southern range of the park near the Bhutan border. The elusive melanistic leopards were seen moving through dense forest areas and trees, offering visitors a rare wildlife spectacle seldom witnessed in the wild.
The sightings have generated widespread excitement among tourists and wildlife photographers, many of whom are now travelling to Manas in the hope of spotting the rare animals.
Tourism stakeholders and safari operators associated with the park said the development has significantly increased interest in Manas and is expected to further boost tourist footfall in the coming weeks.
Officials said nearly 60,000 tourists, including around 1,600 foreign visitors, visited the national park during the current tourism season.
The park also generated revenue of nearly Rs 1.5 crore during the season, authorities said.
Forest officials noted that alongside the rise in domestic and international tourist arrivals, wildlife populations inside the park have also shown encouraging signs of growth in recent years.
In recent weeks, the black panther has emerged as one of the biggest attractions at Manas, drawing several renowned wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts eager to capture images and videos of the elusive animal.
Authorities also expressed satisfaction after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared videos of the black panther on social media, bringing wider national attention to the biodiversity and conservation success of the park.
Meanwhile, park authorities announced that Manas National Park will remain closed to tourists from June 5 until further notice due to the monsoon season.
All tourism-related activities, including jeep safaris, elephant safaris and river rafting, will remain suspended during the closure period to ensure the safety of visitors and wildlife during the rainy season, officials said.