The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, in Morigaon district of Assam has been opened for tourists.
Assam Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya opened the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary for tourists and visitors at 8 am on Sunday. Assam Minister of State for Health Pijush Hazarika was also present at the event.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary will remain open either till April 30, 2019 or May 15, depending on the weather, said an official of the Sanctuary.
Ten elephants and 20 jeeps are the new additions for the safari inside the sanctuary. The jungle safari rates will be Rs 1300 for six persons on vehicles and Rs 500 per rider on elephants.
The revenue collection from tourists and visitors is expected to exceed to Rs 40 lakh in 2017-18 compared to that of Rs 33 lakhs in 2016-17.
With Durga Puja starting from October 15, expectations are high among department sources that the season would see more tourist arrivals to the rhino hubs than in the previous seasons.