Pench Tiger Reserve focuses on increasing tourists to lesser-known parks

In an attempt to boost tourism in lesser-known and less visited parks like Mansinghdeo, Pench Tger Reserve (PTR) has allowed daylong stay inside Deolapar forest. MS Reddy, Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) and Field Director, Pench, informed that a three-pronged strategy has been made to boost tourism at Chorbahuli, Saleghat-Nagalwadi and Deolapar in buffer. According to the new strategy, surplus tourist vehicles coming to Pench will be allowed to visit Chorbahuli from Sillari side. Chorbahuli’s total capacity of 48 vehicles per day has been bifurcated to 28 per day where 14 vehicles each on morning and evening can enter from Chorbahuli gate and the remaining 20 vehicles entry has been shifted to Sillari from where tourists will be able to visit Chorbahuli. “This has been done owing to tourists’ lukewarm response to Chorbahuli. It never exceeded capacity since its inception. The new move will help guides and gypsy owners earn livelihood,” said Reddy. At Khursapar too, daylong visits have been allowed to four vehicles in Deolapar (Khursapar) side. The tourism routes have also been increased by 20 kilometres. From Khursapar, carrying capacity has also been increased from existing 38 vehicles to 60 vehicles per day to allow more tourists to enter this zone from Madhya Pradesh Pench. Reddy elaborated that Pucca machans have been set up at scenic spots and watch towers at Khursapar, Bandra, Bakhari and Usripar and of the 30 vehicles, four vehicles will be allowed to stay daylong on machans inside the forest. This entry will be offline and will be available on first-come-first-serve basis by paying three times more for entry fee and guide, and double fee for Gypsy and vehicle. At Saleghat, tourists had to visit Nagalwadi and Saleghat separately, which have now been integrated. “This will boost tourism as visitors will get 64km route. Earlier, tourist had to move in 30km and 34km routes respectively at both places. The entry points remain the same but those entering from Surewani can now go towards scenic Saleghat and vice versa. The vehicle capacity has been kept at 24 (12 each shift) from Saleghat, and 14 (Nagalwadi). Though tourism area has gone up, gate fee has not been hiked,” said Reddy.

Source: Times of India