Kaziranga Tourism Pioneer and Elephant Specialist Manju Barua Passes Away

Aiidesh News : 17 May - 2026 :

Acintya Kumar Barua, popularly known as Manju Barua, the owner of the renowned Wild Grass Resort in Kaziranga and a trailblazer in eco‑tourism and rural tourism, passed away this morning. Widely respected as a conservationist, wildlife expert, and pioneer of Assam’s resort culture, Manju Barua breathed his last while being taken to hospital after feeling unwell at the Wild Grass Resort.

Manju Barua was the youngest son of Assam’s eminent scholar Dr. Birinchi Kumar Barua. He left his studies at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, dedicating himself instead to wildlife conservation and social development. Driven by his deep love for forests and nature, he established the unique Wild Grass Resort in Kaziranga in 1991. Built with eco‑friendly designs, artistic touches, and traditional Assamese architecture, the resort became a center of attraction for all.

Beyond tourism services, Barua created opportunities for local youth by providing training and employment in environmental education and awareness, thereby involving them in the tourism industry. He was also highly knowledgeable about elephants and organized annual welfare programs for mahouts at Wild Grass.

His son, Man Barua, is currently a professor of human geography at Cambridge University, contributing significantly to the study of Kaziranga’s tourism development and wildlife research. The sudden demise of Manju Barua has cast a shadow of grief over Kaziranga, as well as Assam’s tourism and wildlife conservation sectors.

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