Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Telegraph picture

Patna, Jan. 14: Sights set on eco-tourism, the Bihar government is planning to bring the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) on the tourist map of the state with a secondary objective of improving the economy of the people residing in nearby areas.

To promote the tiger reserve as a tourism hotspot, the forest department is planning to set up hoardings at important places of the state giving brief information about it. A tourist hostel would also be in place soon.

Unlike some of the popular tiger reserves of the country, the tourism potential of VTR, spread over an area of about 840sqkm, has remained untapped till date.

According to field officials, not a single tourist visits this reserve, sharing boundary with the Chitwan National Park of Nepal.

“The eco-tourism in Uttaranchal’s Jim Corbett National Park pumps in around Rs 300 crore to the local economy. The VTR’s potential, however, has remained untapped even 20 years after its inception,” said a field official of the reserve.

Things, however, are likely to change for better, as the state forest department officials are busy working out a plan of action to attract tourists’ attention towards the reserve.

“We are studying the different models adopted in different tiger reserves like Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand, Pench in Madhya Pradesh, and Sunderbans and Buxa in Bengal, for promoting eco-tourism. This would help us chart out a comprehensive plan with regard to VTR,” Bihar chief wildlife warden Mithilesh Kumar told The Telegraph.

He said the plan would take special care of the role of the people residing nearby in various services required for the tourists.

The forest department would put up hoardings at important places of the state giving brief information about VTR.

“They will be put up along national highways, airports and other places to draw the attention of tourists,” Kumar said.

He added that India Tourism Development Corporation and Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation, too, would be approached for promoting VTR as a tourist destination.

To ensure that tourists get the basic facilities once they start visiting the reserve after the launch of the campaign, the forest department has decided to have a tourist hostel in place.

“A proposal in this regard would be sent to the tourism department as they have the expertise in setting up such facilities,” said the chief wildlife warden.

Expressing happiness over the proposed move, VTR director J.P. Gupta said: “The forest roads of VTR, measuring over 300km, are now kept in good condition and except the rainy season, tourists would not face any problem while visiting the reserve.”

The bid to project the tiger reserve as a tourist spot would improve the economy of the people residing in villages dotting it.

Engaging the local population in eco-tourism in forest areas has been a time-tested formula.

On one hand it helps them get employment, and on the other, it helps them realise the importance of forest resources for attracting tourists.

Buoyed by the prospect of better economic status, the local people start playing a pro-active role in safeguarding the forest and wildlife.