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�KNP reopening early will affect ecology�

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 28 - The decision of the Government of Assam to throw open the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) for tourists earlier than usual has invited the concern and dissatisfaction of wildlife lovers and organisations working for conservation of Nature. The internationally famed park will be open for tourists from October 1 this year instead of the usual November 1.

Balipara Foundation, which has been promoting the concept of interdependence between Nature and economics and supports human and ecologically conscious economic development through extensive learning initiatives, has asserted that this decision of the State government will be a bane for tourism.

Chairman of the foundation Ranjit Barthakur said the government has taken a completely wrong decision as that will have an adverse impact on the ecology of the park. �Tourism has, of late emerged as a big business. But while promoting tourism we should also keep in mind the eco system which is very important for conservation of the star attractions for tourists, the rhinos and other species, which are dependent on the KNP eco system,� said Barthakur, mentioning that by advancing the date of opening of KNP the authorities will create havoc with the regeneration process of the park.

Another internationally reputed wildlife worker Dr KK Sarma, whose lifelong mission is welfare of India�s Asian elephants, also supported the concern voiced by Barthakur and said that the eco system of the park has to be considered sacrosanct in the interest of conservation and wellbeing of the diverse species which have been attracting tourists.

On the other hand, Barthakur informed that the Eastern Himalayan Naturenomics Forum, 2016 to be held in Guwahati on November 8 and 9, will seek to provide a single platform for all stakeholders to engage with each other and collaborate to find innovative long-term solutions to pressing issues at hand, including climate change, depletion of essential natural resources like water and the overwhelming influence of technology and culture on successful conservation.

The Naturenomics Forum will be addressed by prominent personalities and individuals and organisations including world�s leading botanist Peter Raven.

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