Tourism and Local Community Development in Assam’s National Parks: Opportunities, Challenges, and Socio-Economic Impacts

Tourism in Assam’s national parks, particularly Kaziranga and Manas, has emerged as a significant driver of socio-economic development for local communities. This paper investigates the opportunities and challenges associated with tourism in these protected areas, focusing on employment generation, income diversification, community empowerment, and the sustainability of tourism-led development. Using a mixed-methods approach involving field surveys, interviews, and secondary data analysis, the study reveals that while tourism has created substantial economic benefits and fostered cultural preservation, challenges remain in ensuring equitable benefit distribution, effective community participation, and ecological balance. The paper concludes with recommendations for participatory tourism management and sustainable development strategies.