Alipurduar, May 13: A new gate will be opened at Salkumarhat for tourists to enter the Jaldapara forest to avail themselves of car rides and elephant rides.

The gate that will be inaugurated by forest minister Hiten Barman on May 16 is expected to change the economy of Salkumarhat I panchayat as more jobs are likely to be created in the area.

The Jaldapara National Park has only one gate at Madarihat now and tourists have to travel 65km to reach there from Alipurduar. Once the entry is allowed at Salkumarhat, the distance will come down to around 35km.

“The new gate will be used for both entry and exit. Six more cars will be introduced at the gate for tourists to see around the forest and the route will remain the same. Elephant rides will continue to be available from Holong Bungalow,” said Rajendra Jakhar, the divisional forest officer, Wildlife III.

At present, 13 cars and five elephants are used for the safari inside the forest.

The people of Salkumarhat have been complaining for long that though the major portion of the Jaldapara forest is located in their panchayat, they are not enjoying the benefits of the tourism.

“Since the visitors are allowed the entry to the forest only through Madarihat, lodges were opened there and youths can work as guides,” said Dhirendranath Roy, the pradhan of Salkumar I panchayat.

“Once the new gate is opened, lodges will be built here and youths will get jobs in the form of tourist guides. Many will be engaged for the car safaris and the economy is bound to change. There will be a lot of job opportunities directly and indirectly.”