Ranchi: Jharkhand has begun the process of identifying and mapping natural, historical and scenic destinations as part of efforts to develop eco-tourism across the state.
The exercise will cover tourist destinations and waterfalls across different districts. Detailed information about identified sites is being compiled, while a team of experts is assessing their tourism potential and local conditions.
What the Mapping Exercise Covers
The mapping process is focusing on:
- Natural, historical and scenic tourist destinations across Jharkhand
- Waterfalls and their surrounding natural areas
- Access routes and connectivity to identified sites
- Natural features and characteristics of each location
- Scope for developing tourism facilities at suitable sites
- Environmental conditions and the need for conservation
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Officials said the state has several natural locations that have not yet been extensively featured on the tourism map. Forests, hills, rivers and waterfalls are among the locations being assessed as part of the eco-tourism exercise.
The expert team is also examining which sites can be developed for visitors while taking environmental protection and local conditions into account.
Focus on Waterfalls and Local Employment
A separate assessment of waterfalls is being undertaken to document their condition, surrounding environment and tourism-development potential. The information will be used to identify suitable locations for future development of facilities.
The plan also includes a focus on linking local communities with tourism-related activities. These may include local products, handicrafts, food services, accommodation and tourist guide services.
The exercise is intended to create a structured database of Jharkhand’s natural tourism resources, which can subsequently be used for planning facilities at selected destinations.
DFO, North Forest Division, Chatra, Rahul Meena (IFS: 2019), said, “Eco-tourism will be developed by mapping tourist destinations and waterfalls. It is a good and new initiative by the government. Natural, historical and scenic sites in the districts are being identified and their detailed information is being prepared, after which they will be developed. This will promote tourism development along with environmental conservation and employment generation.”
The mapping exercise is currently being carried out by the expert team across different levels to assess the state’s eco-tourism potential.
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