From Rhinos to the cosmos: Kaziranga eyes a new future in Astro Tourism

Kaziranga National Park, celebrated across the world for its one-horned rhinoceros and extraordinary biodiversity, is preparing to unveil a new dimension of tourism—one that begins after sunset. With increasing interest from park authorities, astronomers, and astro photographers, Kaziranga is emerging as a promising destination for astro tourism in India.

What Is Astro Tourism? A journey into the night sky

Astro tourism is a niche yet rapidly growing form of travel focused on experiencing celestial wonders. Activities such as stargazing, observing meteor showers and eclipses, and astrophotography take center stage, usually in locations with minimal light pollution. More than just recreation, astro tourism blends education, environmental awareness, and conservation—encouraging the protection of dark skies while offering visitors a serene and awe-inspiring connection with the universe.

Ladakh: India’s First Astro Tourism Festival

India took a significant step in this direction when it hosted its first astro tourism festival in Ladakh in July 2025. Known for its exceptionally dark skies, Ladakh set an example of how celestial tourism can thrive in the right environment. Experts now believe Assam, particularly Kaziranga’s Burapahar forest range, holds similar untapped potential.

Why Burapahar stands apart

For any location to be astro-tourism friendly, low levels of light and air pollution are essential. Kaziranga, with its protected status and limited human interference, fits this requirement perfectly. Experts point out that the Burapahar forest range offers far better conditions for observing planets, stars, and other celestial bodies than even Guwahati city.

“The clarity of the night sky over the Burapahar forest range is exceptional,” said Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park. “Among all the ranges in Kaziranga, Burapahar is the most suitable for astro tourism and astrophotography.”

A new chapter for the World Heritage Site

While Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its wildlife—and more recently for its thriving tiger population—astro tourism and astro photography are now being explored as exciting additions to its tourism portfolio. Park authorities and astro photographers have expressed strong optimism that this initiative could broaden Kaziranga’s appeal without disturbing its ecological balance.

Dr. Kishore Kumar Baruah, President of the Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association, echoed this sentiment, stating that Burapahar offers an unmatched environment in Assam for studying the solar system, planets, and stars due to its pristine surroundings and minimal light pollution.

Wildlife by day, Wonders of the universe by night

Tourists visiting Kaziranga currently spend their days enjoying jeep and elephant safaris, observing rhinoceroses, elephants, tigers, deer, and a rich variety of birdlife. However, since night safaris are not permitted, astro tourism presents an ideal alternative. Stargazing and astrophotography would allow visitors to engage meaningfully after dark, making their stay more enriching and complete.

According to park officials, astro tourism could significantly enhance the overall visitor experience by adding both educational and recreational value. Visitors would not only admire the beauty of the night sky but also learn about the positions, movements, and unique characteristics of celestial bodies.

Empowering local youth as Astro guides

Beyond tourism, astro tourism holds promise as a livelihood opportunity. The Pragjyotish Amateur Astronomers Association has expressed keen interest in training educated local youth to become professional astro guides. This initiative aims to create employment while ensuring that visitors receive accurate, engaging, and scientifically sound interpretations of the night sky.

Hands-on learning under the stars

As a step toward realizing this vision, a two-day workshop on astro tourism and astro guiding was held on January 5 and 6 at Rhineland in the Burapahar forest range. The workshop took place in the presence of Sonali Ghosh, Field Director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve; Arun Vignesh, DFO; and Nilay Baruah, Forest Range Officer of Burapahar.

Resource persons included Dr. Kishore Kumar Baruah; Joint Secretary Sanjeev Kumar Sharma; Executive Member Dr. Jyotimoni Neog Baruah; Uday Bhaskar from Andaman Star Gazing; and astro photographer and engineer Rajib Lochan Sharma. They conducted sessions on astro tourism, astro photography, and astro guiding.

Young minds inspired by the cosmos

Students from local schools and colleges participated enthusiastically in the workshop. Using advanced modern telescopes, they observed planets and celestial bodies of the solar system, gaining firsthand knowledge of their positions and unique features—an experience that left many inspired and enthralled.

Kaziranga’s next big leap

With its pristine environment, dark skies, and growing institutional support, Kaziranga now stands at the threshold of a new tourism frontier. By embracing astro tourism, the park has the opportunity to place itself firmly on India’s astro tourism map—offering visitors not just a journey into the wild, but also a memorable voyage into the cosmos.

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