By Bhupen Goswami

Guwahati : The World Heritage Site Kaziranga National park reopens for tourists after its routine closure for the monsoon season. The World Heritage Site — home to the one-horn rhinoceros has been opened for tourists in Kohora Range and Bagori of the Park on Thursday. On the first-day, 17 departmental elephants were arranged said Bankim Sarma, Divisional forest officer. “We are expecting more tourists this year the arrival of the migratory birds has created great enthusiasm among visitors. We have removed hyacinth from many water bodies so that the birds have more space.”- said Sarma. The total number of tourists visiting Kaziranga National Park last year was 73,674 of whom 5,748 were foreign tourists. The total visit of the tourists fetched the park a revenue of Rs. 79.47 lakh. Stating all infrastructure facilities for free and safe movement of tourists have been put in place, he said at Kohora Range 15 elephants would be pressed into service and 12 in Bagori Range for elephant safari. In Agaratoli and Burapahar Range jeep safari tours will be provided by private operators, the official said. The last wave of floods in September last had washed away several bridges and damaged roads inside the Park, which were repaired for the convenience of guest movement, the official said. This year two new entertainment sites and tourist destinations – Kaziranga Cycling Club, Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park – were opened within the KNP area, tourism department officials said.