Tourism growth must be driven by conservation-focused practices: Assam min

Guwahati: Assam must pursue conservation-led tourism instead of competing for higher tourist footfalls, forest minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said, citing Manas Tiger Reserve as an example of tourism and wildlife conservation working together.The state recorded more than six crore tourist arrivals between 2016-17 and 2025-26, including over 2.4 lakh foreign visitors, Mallabaruah said. Wildlife remains a major draw, but cultural heritage, rural tourism and homestays are also becoming important part