Legend Of Northeast Tourism Sector And Owner Of Wild Grass Resort At Kaziranga In Assam Passes Away
: Wild Grass Resort owner Achintya Barua, fondly known as Manjuda, passed away on Sunday, leaving a deep and rich legacy in Assam’s tourism and hospitality sector.
Mr Barua’s death was mourned by conservationists, tourism professionals and travelers who remember him as a pioneer who helped shape wildlife tourism in the region over the last few decades.
Mr. Baruah, a visionary who played a key role in shaping the region’s tourism industry as the state went through the worst phase of the insurgency, is best known for having founded the Wild Grass Resort in the early 1990s.
Significantly, the resort is considered one of the first private accommodation ventures in Kaziranga National Park and has played a significant role in putting the region on the global wildlife tourism map. Over the years, the resort has become known for its deep integration with nature and its emphasis on authenticity over luxury.
He was widely respected for his humane and progressive approach to hospitality. At Wild Grass, Mr. Barua introduced practices that were ahead of his time, including private accommodation with free accommodation and meals for “sarothis” (drivers and guides), an unusual practice in the industry at the time.
Mr. Barua will also be remembered for establishing a benchmark for hospitality based not only on comfort but also on dignity, empathy and respect.
The facility also reflected Mr. Barua’s environmental philosophy; It houses more than 40 species of trees and nearly 200 species of shrubs and vines, creating an atmosphere deeply connected to Kaziranga forests.
Wild Grass also offers guests a rustic lodge experience that focuses on immersion in nature, eschewing modern distractions. Mr. Barua was also known for interacting personally with visitors, often sharing stories about Assam’s wildlife, people and conservation challenges.
Leading tour operators in the region believe that his death marks the end of an era in Kaziranga’s tourism history, but his legacy will continue to live on through the values he instilled in this sector in the region. It also helped popularize Kaziranga on the global tourism map even during the difficult period of insurgency.
