Guwahati, Jan 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 18 said that Kaziranga National Park recorded zero incidents of rhinoceros poaching in 2025, calling it a major outcome of sustained and focused conservation measures implemented under the BJP government. He made the remarks while addressing a public gathering in Assam during the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project.
Recalling the situation a decade ago, the Prime Minister said rhino poaching was rampant around 2013–14, with repeated incidents occurring within short intervals. He stated that the government adopted a firm and strategic approach to end the menace by strengthening protection systems, improving ground-level enforcement and revamping conservation policies. According to Modi, these consistent efforts have led to a significant turnaround in wildlife protection at Kaziranga.
Emphasising the link between conservation and development, Modi said protecting nature also opens avenues for economic growth. He pointed out that tourism in and around Kaziranga has increased considerably in recent years, creating livelihood opportunities for local residents through homestays, handicrafts, small businesses and tourism-related services such as guides. He credited the Assam government for playing a key role in reinforcing wildlife security while promoting sustainable tourism models that benefit communities without harming the ecosystem.
Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is globally recognised for its population of one-horned rhinoceroses and remains one of the most important pillars of Assam’s eco-tourism economy. The Prime Minister said conservation initiatives in the park have helped preserve its biodiversity while simultaneously supporting income generation for people living in surrounding areas.
During the programme, Modi performed the Bhoomi Pujan of the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, a major infrastructure initiative designed to facilitate safe wildlife movement and improve regional connectivity. The 86-km environmentally sensitive national highway project includes a 35-km elevated wildlife corridor through the park, a 21-km bypass and the widening of 30 km of the existing NH-715 from two to four lanes.
Officials said the Rs 6,957-crore project will help reduce accidents on the highway and significantly improve connectivity between Central and Upper Assam. The plan includes four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh stretch, around 34.45 km of elevated corridor, and bypasses at Jakhalabandha and Bokakhat. Designed in line with Supreme Court directions and recommendations of the Wildlife Institute of India, the project also provides dedicated spaces beneath the elevated structure to allow safe animal movement between Kaziranga and the Karbi Anglong Hills, especially during the flood season.
