The Union Tourism Ministry has announced that world-famous Kaziranga National Park is one of the 10 iconic places in India.
As per a media report on Sunday quoting Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) Chairman Jayanta Malla Baruah, the Union Tourism Ministry has taken the decision after the list of 10 iconic places was approved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At a time when reports of rhino poaching in Kaziranga continue to hit headlines, it is expected that this recognition would help draw more visitors to the Kaziranga National Park.
Kaziranga National Park is a UNESCO world heritage site and is known for the one-horned rhinoceros.
According to the census conducted in March 2015 jointly by the Forest Department of Assam and some recognised wildlife NGOs, the rhino population in the National Park is 2,401.
The rhino population comprises 1,651 adult rhinos (663 male, 802 are females, 186 unsexed); 294 sub-adults (90 males, 114 females, 90 unsexed); 251 juveniles and 205 cubs.
In 2006, Kazirang National Park, which is also home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world, was declared a Tiger Reserve.
Besides, KNP is home to large breeding populations of elephants, wild water buffalo and swamp deer.
The park, located on the edge of the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot, combines high species diversity and visibility.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while presenting the annual Union Budget for 2018-19, on Thursday said that the Central government would convert 10 popular tourist destinations into iconic and model destinations.
He had said that this could be achieved by adopting a holistic approach of development with the support of the private sector.
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