Elephants in Dalma wildlife reserve

Jamshedpur, Feb. 1: The mist has lifted from the lush slopes of the Dalma wildlife sanctuary. After a brief lull, the hills are humming with tourists once again.

A drop in crime rate and the creation of an extremist-free zone have made Dalma a favourite destination this season.

Droves of nature-lovers from West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, and Madhya Pradesh are flocking to the sanctuary. Wildlife officials said people from as far as Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have also started visiting the place, though in small numbers.

“We wanted to visit the Betla tiger reserve in Palamau district and a sanctuary in Hazaribagh district. These places are worth visiting, but we came to know that they these places are not safe,” said a tourist from West Bengal.

Another tourist from Calcutta said: “When I last went to Betla in 1995, I spotted a tigress with her cubs. So I wanted to go back. But it seems that the place is infested with extremists. Though rebels do not harm tourists in general, the charm has palled.

“It will not be right for us to go to Betla tiger reserve as it is not safe,” said a tourist from Tamil Nadu.

According to figures available with the Dalma wildlife sanctuary office, 34,000 tourists, including local ones, have visited Dalma by January 26. Last year, the figure was 26,000.

S.B. Gaekwad, divisional forest officer, Dalma wildlife sanctuary, said the place is drawing more visitors from outside the state.

“Earlier, most tourists were from neighbouring West Bengal, but this time people have come far-off states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. We have improve basic facilities to streamline the flow of tourists,” said the DFO.

He added that they have sent a requisition to authorities concerned for providing four tourist buses, including two small ones, for the sanctuary.

“We have also sent a requisition for two sections of armed police and a couple of vehicles for patrolling purposes,” Gaekwad said.

The DFO added that tourists liked to visit peaceful spots. “The fact that other places in the state are disturbed has revived Dalma’s prospects. In view of the tourism boom this year, we may have to upgrade infrastructure,’’ he said.