Kaziranga National Park, the world-renowned habitat of the one-horned rhinoceros, has been officially closed to tourists from May 29 as the monsoon season sets in across Assam.
While safari services were initially scheduled to end on May 25, park authorities extended jeep safari operations until May 28 in response to continued tourist arrivals. According to departmental sources, jeep safaris in the Kohora, Agoratoli, Bagori, and Burhapahar ranges have now been suspended.
The seasonal closure has been implemented as rising water levels, heavy rainfall, and changing wildlife movement patterns during the monsoon make tourism activities difficult and potentially unsafe.
Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros and supports a rich diversity of wildlife, including tigers, wild buffaloes, elephants, swamp deer, and numerous bird species.
Forest officials said the annual closure is also aimed at creating a peaceful environment for wildlife during the rainy season. Similar to the decision taken recently at Manas National Park, where river rafting and elephant safari operations have been suspended from June 1, authorities believe reducing human activity during the monsoon helps minimise disturbance to animals and supports conservation efforts.
Officials noted that the monsoon period is crucial for wildlife, as animals frequently move across different habitats in response to flooding and changing environmental conditions. Restricting tourism activities during this period allows the forest ecosystem to function with minimal human interference.
Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains one of India’s most visited wildlife destinations and attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists every year. Tourism activities are expected to resume after the monsoon season, subject to weather conditions and official clearance from the forest department.
