KNPTR trains about 700 drivers and mahouts on visitors’ safety

Guwahati: The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has trained approximately 700 Gypsy safari drivers and mahouts on visitor safety and experience enhancement, with support from the Assam Skill Development Mission. This training comes just before the upcoming tourist season in the Unesco natural heritage site, which is set to reopen on October 1 after a five-month closure due to the monsoon.
The training programme aimed to improve wildlife interpretation and visitor interaction, promoting a deeper understanding of conservation efforts among tourists.Participants were introduced to a wide range of topics, including biodiversity conservation, wildlife, flora and fauna, basics of wildlife, first aid, visitor safety, the role and responsibilities of a wildlife guide, and communication skills improvement.
The training, which began on September 19 and will continue until October 10, has already seen the completion of the first three batches, each consisting of 100 participants. During the World Rhino Day celebration last week, participants from the first two batches received certificates, badges, and uniforms.
Jayanta Malla Baruah, the tourism and skill, employment and entrepreneurship minister, delivered a keynote session on Tuesday, highlighting the significant progress made in training and skill development for key stakeholders involved in the sustainable management and promotion of the KNPTR. He emphasized the crucial role of local communities, especially those involved in wildlife tourism, in preserving biodiversity and ensuring visitor safety.
Last year, KNPTR witnessed a record number of visitors, with over 1.7 lakh tourists visiting the Unesco heritage site from October to January, in the first three-and-a-half months of the tourist season.