New Year crowds swell Assam picnic hubs as Umshek shuts on January 1

Picnic hotspots across Assam have begun filling up as the festive season gathers pace, with families and community groups heading outdoors ahead of the New Year. Open-air feasts and day-long gatherings have returned to riverbanks and hill tracts, turning scenic pockets into crowded leisure zones.

The border belt near Kamrup district has seen a sharp rise in visitors, particularly around Boko. Picnic sites along the Assam–Meghalaya boundary, including Hahim, Umshek, Aradonga and Malang Hahuwa, have emerged as major draws, with steady inflows from different parts of the state attracted by the terrain and waterways.

Amid the surge, organisers at Umshek have announced a complete closure of the picnic spot on January 1, 2026, citing New Year-related arrangements and crowd management concerns.

Residents in the Boko region have meanwhile renewed calls for wider promotion of the area, urging the Assam Tourism Department to project its landscapes on national and international platforms. Locals argue that structured visibility and planning could turn seasonal footfall into sustained tourism, creating long-term economic benefits for the region.