Kaziranga National Park (KNP), known for its one-horned rhino, is planning to improve the quality of service to tourists from this season.
A report published in the The Telegraph stated that authorities are planning to introduce some new rules and regulations for safari drivers. As the jeep safari and the elephant safari are the main tourist attractions, the safari drivers will be imparted training on wild animals, forest sound identification, behaviour, communication skills and the like. The drivers will have to register their vehicles with all particulars, sport uniforms and carry identity cards while driving their jeeps.
The report further stated that at present, the pre-assigned points of safari are Mihimukh (Kohora), Bagari, Agaratali and Ghorakati (Burahpahar). KNP Director Akashdeep Baruah said: “The jeep safaris as well as elephant safaris will be improved to attract more and more tourists.”
The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wildlife, Rohini Saikia, said the park authorities will arrange training for safari drivers for their “personality development”.
“The training will include enhancement of knowledge of KNP, characteristics of wild animals, communication skills to converse with foreign tourists and the like,” the DFO added. The decision has been welcomed by the drivers.
“It will enhance the quality of service of the jeep safaris,” a resident of Kohora, Swapan Nath, said. Replying to a question about the date of reopening the park for tourists, the DFO said roads in the national park were being repaired under the supervision of range officers since Tuesday.
“Though the date of reopening KNP will be fixed by the Principal Conservator of Forest (PCF) (Wildlife) it is likely to be communicated to us by the end of this month,” Saikia added. A source stated that the date of reopening may be late by one week as flood water continues to submerge some of the roads inside the park.