Guwahati, Oct 12 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday opened the Kaziranga National Park for the visitors for this season.

Sonowal ceremoniously put the Bagori and Kohora Range of the park open for the tourists at functions held at Bagori and Mihimukh on Saturday and said that it is a matter of great pride and prestige that Kazirnaga National Park has earned its name in the 17 most iconic centres of the country.

Speaking at a function organised at Bagori (Western Part) Range of the Kaziranga National Park, the Chief Minister said that State government has taken multifarious steps for beautification, conservation and development of the park.

Sonowal also called upon every stakeholder to make a united effort for the serenity and beauty of the park. Emphasising on the cleanliness of Kaziranga National Park, Sonowal said that all households, restaurants, hotels, resorts must keep their peripheral areas clean to make Kaziranga more beautiful and serene.

"For protecting and preserving the rich bio-diversity of the Kaziranga, a 32 km long flyover will be constructed. He also said that for the protection of bio-diversity and other natural resources of Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, Pabitara, Dibru Saikhowa, State government has already taken several measures," he said.

Stating that the arrival of l.80 lakh visitors to the park last year, Sonowal called for a concerted effort of raising the turnout to at least 1 core in the last 10 years. He, therefore, urged upon all concerned to attract attention of the tourists to the beauty and uniqueness of the park.

Sonowal also said that because of the unified efforts of the local people, forest personnel, and security personnel, rhino poaching has come down manifold and he attributed this development to the synergy between civil, police and forest administrations of the five districts.

Stating that the density of flora and fauna in Kaziranga National Park have increased considerably, Sonowal said that formation of task force, fast track courts for the trial of poachers, construction of highlands and supply of food stuff to the animals during flood along with medical attention have contributed to this increase.