Hazaribagh, Sept. 5: Enthused over the rise in animal counts and recent spurt in tourist activities, the forest department has launched a host of measures to revive the lost glory of Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary.

If sources are to be believed, the department is pumping in funds to make this once-famous animal abode an attractive destination for wildlife enthusiasts and adventure junkies.

The department has prepared a proposal for setting up a new rest house at the entry point in Pokharia. Also, there are plans to build a 7ft-wide walkway around the picturesque Rajderwa Lake, one of the main draws in this sanctuary, located some 15km from the district headquarters.

The department is also planning to give a facelift to the unique centuries-old tiger trap. Local people claim that 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 inquisitive 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 count dwindled fast and finally, tiger disappeared from the jungles here.

The divisional forest office has also forwarded a proposal to the department's higher-ups in Ranchi for launching a 10-seater daily bus service from Hazaribagh town to the sanctuary. If the plan materialises, animal lovers can take a bus ride deep into the forests and enjoy a grandstand view of the green landscape and its wild inmates.

Divisional forest officer (wildlife) Ravindra Nath Mishra said both the number of animals and visitors had increased over the past few years. "We are working towards reinstating the lost sheen and pride of the sanctuary. We are trying to add more facilities here and expect that the footfall will shoot up further in the coming days."

Forest department records underline a rise in tourist footfall since 2012. A total of 9,774 tourists visited the sanctuary in 2012, 10,359 in 2013 and 10,815 in the year 2014 with majority of them being from neighbouring Bengal.

However, what has made the forest officials really excited is the increase in numbers of animals over the past years. According to routine internal census, the sanctuary is currently home to 80 chittals, four sambars, 36 barking deer, 20 foxes, 19 hyenas, 68 rabbits and 78 vultures, besides various species of snakes and birds.