Siliguri, April 28: Load your cameras, grab your binoculars,
fasten your seatbelts and take a deep breath: You will need all of
them at the Jeep safari in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest department promises thrills
unlimited through the 30-km stretch between Sukna and Laltong watchtower
at Seventh Mile. All that stands between the launch of the "one-of-its-kind
circuit" is the work in progress on a permanent bridge over
the mighty Mahananda that slices through the forest.
"Much of the forest remains unexplored because of the absence
of a permanent bridge. We expect construction to be over by May
after which we will be able to start the expedition," divisional
forest officer Raju Das told.
With its fair share of wild life like leopards and tuskers, the
journey will not be a walk in the parks. Not willing to take any
chances, the department will kick off the day long programme with
an orientation programme at the Sukna nature interpretation park. Though visitors will have to arrange for their own vehicles, trained
guides will escort them through the woods. The route will wind its way through Gulma, Tenth Mile and finally
end at Seventh Mile. Visitors, however, will have to wait a while to explore the woods.
The sanctuary will remain closed from June 15 to September 15.
`Even if the bridge is completed by next month, we will have
very little time in hand to start the jeep safari. We will, however,
start trial runs before the annual closing`, Das said.
Once a haunt for picnickers, the growing interest in wildlife
among the people promoted forest officials to make the decision. `The main aim of opening the sanctuary for public is to create
awareness on wildlife and ecology, which will be accompanied with
entertainment,` Das added.
The DFO said a watchtower had been set up and other attractions,
like artificial water bodies and more watchtowers to make the jungle
safari more enjoyable, are being planned.
Visitors will have to pay Rs. 25 per head and will have to carry
their own food. Plans to rope in some eco-development committees
to set up refreshment stalls are also underway, Das said.
Local tour operators have welcomed the department's move.
Wildlife is a major attraction among tourists. Once the safari
is started, tourists coming to this region can extend their itinerary
by an extra day, which will give the tourism sector a boost.
The watchtower at Laltong, from where one can watch herds of migratory
elephants, cross over the Teesta, is a rare and wonderful sight
what visitors can feast their eyes on. Such initiatives will certainly
draw more tourists to this belt.This is for the first time that
the association, with 453 members, has rewarded some of its own.
About 11 hotels were felicitated for `good services.`
The association introduced a strict code of conduct for its members.
Nearly 50 of them have been suspended for violation of the code. The hotel agents have always been considered as the 'bane' of the
tourism industry. They would hang around the motor stand and coax
travelers aggressively. Most of the time they were drunk. Several
unsuccessful attempts have made in the past to curb the menace.
The association`s efforts were praised today by Mr. Deepak Gurung,
president, GNLF, Darjeeling Branch. `Such acts will go to improve
the over all image of Darjeeling,` he said.
Popular local rock band, Reincarnation, performed at the occasion.
Courtesy
The Statesman |
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