The best way to enjoy wildlife is by staying inside the forest. Forest department in every state has forest test houses (FRH) mostly built during British regime deep inside the jungle. Anybody can book them from respective forest department’s website. But, Karnataka government has created them as connoisseurs’ property and they are one of the most coveted and expensive tourist properties in the state. A night stay in these lodges costs a minimum of Rs 20,000 per person. That means each twin-sharing room comes at a price of Rs 40,000 per day. Even then there always is a waiting list for booking these rooms.
During an exclusive video interview with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Manoj Kumar MD, Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Karnataka claimed that profit is not their goal. That’s why despite having immense expanse of forest , they have only 29 such properties each on an average having only 10 rooms.
Please watch the full interview here-
The infrastructure doesn’t use concrete. They have been developed as heritage properties “The idea is to provide an opportunity for people to see wildlife in their pristine habitats. Increasing the accommodation and the vehicles will only disturb the wildlife and we don’t want that”, said Mr. Kumar.
ENVIRONMENT FRIEDNLY TOURISM
Mr. Kumar believes that it is necessary to ease out carbon footprints and burden on jungles caused by tourism. Jungle lodges, a government owned company, is practicing sustainability while providing best experience to the visitors.
While, this is indirectly helping conservation, the lodges have enrolled 99% of local people for hospitality to guards. Even most of the resources like grains, vegetables are also sourced from the locals. This step has helped to minimize the conflict with local people and improve their livelihood. The guest also feel at home & in the lap of nature.
BALANCING DEVELOPMENT & ECOLOGY
With more than 140 crores population, India is aspiring to be a 5 trillion economy soon. To achieve this target a rapid growth in infrastructure, industry and business is required. Is this dream possible without putting pressure on our ecology and affecting our rich flora and fauna?
The real challenge for forest officers today is to maintain balance between both development and ecology. We have to safeguard our biodiversity and find a sustainable way of co-existence. And, for wildlife conversation, we have developed way for sustainable & environment friendly tourism also as all is connected with each other.
Mr. Manoj Kumar also spoke about the challenges for Indian Forest Officers, usage of technology in conservation and also highlighted how the government is focusing on sustainable eco-tourism.
TECHONOLOGY IN WILDLIFE
Technology has shaped and changed various aspect of our lives. It has come as a boon for wildlife conservation. Ease of collecting data and tracking mobiles has made detection of wildlife crimes easier and more efficient. Also, it has helped in building up the evidences and patrolling of forest area.
In case of encroachment, the real time alerts are sent to field directors and staff with help of drones. The forest fires are also monitored properly, thanks to technology.
“It has also decreased the conflicts and litigation between department and people in the matters related to land. The records are digitized which helps any individual to access and check if the land comes under protected forest”, Mr. Kumar said while highlighting the advantage of technology.
