Hazaribagh, June 20: Animal lovers can look forward to going on a safari to Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary - the erstwhile tiger abode that still boasts its royal connect.

If the forest department's plan materialises, adventure junkies can take a bus ride from the town to deep into the forests and enjoy grandstand views of the sanctuary, wandering deer, pretty villages and magical landscapes.

Divisional forest officer (wildlife) Ravindra Nath Mishra said a proposal had been forwarded to the department's higher-ups in Ranchi for running a 10-seater bus from the town to the sanctuary on a daily basis to attract tourists and wildlife lovers.

"It will run on a no-profit-no-loss basis. We will start in the morning from Van Bhavan and take tourists to various parts of the sanctuary, giving them an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the greenery and the animal world. We will launch the service as soon as we get the go ahead," told Mishra while speaking to The Telegraph.

Sources said tourists from Bengal and other parts of the country used to visit the place in large numbers till early 1990.

However, due to lack of security and increasing crimes, people preferred to stay away from the sanctuary.

However, the forest department has finally woken up to improve basic amenities, security and connectivity to bring wildlife enthusiasts as well as general tourists back to the sanctuary.

"To ensure safety of the visitors, forest guards will accompany tourists in the bus," said the DFO.

The sanctuary - located 18km from the district headquarters and along the Ranchi-Patna highway -boasts a unique 100-year-old tiger trap. The British and Rajas used to catch big cats and other animals with the help of this trap.

Though the animal killing is no more allowed inside the protected park, the tiger trap still draws many people.

Records suggest that the 186.23sqkm green park was home to a large number of big cats till 1960.

However, over the years, the tiger count dwindled fast and the census in 1991 put the figure at only 14.

Today, the Hazaribagh sanctuary does not have a single tiger.

Currently, a large number of deer, foxes, hyenas, various species of birds and snakes reside in the sanctuary.

Around 54.04sqkm area within the sanctuary belongs to the Ramgarh Raja, which is popularly known as Rajendra forest. The picturesque Rajderwa Lake is another big attraction.

DFO Mishra said a canteen was set up near the lake long ago. It was shut down later due to lack of visitors. "We will revamp the canteen once tourists' flow increases," he added.