Achintya Barua, founder of the Wild Grass Resort, died on Sunday. Known among friends and colleagues as Manju da, he is remembered for his role in reshaping visitor experiences in Assam’s Kaziranga region.

Barua established the resort in the early 1990s, during a period marked by significant local insurgency. Infrastructure in the region was still developing at the time. Despite these conditions, he helped place Kaziranga on the international travel map.

He adopted a rustic model, deliberately avoiding modern distractions and prioritising immersion in nature. His property functioned beyond a conventional hotel, described as a botanical space with forty types of trees and hundreds of local shrubs designed to reflect the surrounding forest ecosystem.

Hospitality approach rooted in empathy and conservation

His business approach was defined by empathy and respect. He was known for providing free accommodation and meals to guides and drivers involved in the tourism sector.

Travellers often recalled his personal engagement, including detailed accounts of conservation and local culture. Over more than three decades, his methods influenced other local businesses in the region.

Conservationists and tourism professionals said his passing marks the end of an era, with his values continuing to influence the sector.