NEWS | Visitor footfall at the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden has dipped during several months, pointing to a clear change in how city residents spend their leisure time. Officials say the trend reflects a shift in public preference rather than a decline in interest in outdoor recreation.
Talking to GPlus, an official from the Assam State Zoo told GPlus that the availability of multiple new public spaces across Guwahati has influenced visitor patterns. “In some months, visitor numbers have reduced because many new parks and public spaces have opened. People now have more choices and don’t come to one place alone,” the official said.
The development follows observations made in a previous GPlus report, which showed that while the zoo’s overall annual visitor numbers remained stable, footfall varied sharply from month to month, with heavy dependence on peak seasons such as school holidays and winter months.
In 2025, Guwahati saw the opening of several major public spaces that quickly drew crowds. On November 7, the Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan, part of the Brahmaputra Riverfront Project, was inaugurated at Uzanbazar. The space, developed with walkways, landscaped gardens and cultural areas, has since become a regular evening destination for city residents.
Earlier, in December the
#SwahidSmarakKshetra was inaugurated, adding another large open area dedicated to martyrs. On July 8, a park in honour of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika was opened at Nizarapar, followed by the inauguration of Saraighat Lake Park on August 4. Several smaller parks and renovated public spaces were also introduced during the year.
As reported earlier, the Assam State Zoo continues to attract large crowds during peak months such as July and December. However, during the monsoon and non-holiday months, footfall remains uneven, a pattern now more visible with the rise of alternative public spaces.
@assamzoo #Guwahati #AssamStateZoo