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Assam Tourism: Conserve First, Compete Later
28 Sep
Summary
- Assam prioritizes conservation-led tourism over high tourist numbers.
- Manas Tiger Reserve shows success in integrating tourism and conservation.
- Community-led experiences and local livelihoods are crucial for sustainable tourism.
Assam's Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah has urged the state to shift its tourism focus from competing for higher tourist numbers to embracing conservation-led tourism. He highlighted the Manas Tiger Reserve as a prime example where wildlife conservation and tourism efforts are successfully integrated.
Between 2016-17 and 2025-26, Assam recorded over six crore tourist arrivals, with wildlife being a significant attraction. However, the minister stressed that the true measure of tourism success lies in its positive impact on job creation, conservation efforts, and community development.
To manage sensitive ecological areas, the state is considering controlled access and limited premium routes, alongside online ticketing and regulated stays, to minimize pressure on habitats. There's also a push to move beyond safari-centric tourism towards community-led initiatives in forest buffer zones.
Developing local youth as guides, drivers, and hospitality providers is central to this vision. This model aims to create sustainable livelihoods, giving communities a direct stake in protecting the landscape and its wildlife. The goal is to distribute tourism intelligently across destinations while respecting ecological limits.
Future plans include developing the Assam Duars region as a conservation and tourism circuit, encompassing multiple national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. This comprehensive approach seeks to ensure that tourism actively supports and strengthens conservation endeavors, rather than compromising them.
