In the reserved forests of the state, forest areas with potential eco-tourism are being identified and developed as recreation and wildlife experience areas. Tender will be issued for the selection of private businessmen for the purpose of operation, management and maintenance of eco-tourism activities at 29 such eco-tourism sites.
CEO of Eco Tourism Development Board Satyanand informed that 29 sites for eco-tourism would be given to private institutions for operation, management and maintenance for a period of 10 years. By developing infrastructure in these areas, new dimensions of eco-tourism development will be created.
By conducting eco-tourism activities, additional employment opportunities will be available to the forest dwellers living near such forest areas. On completion of this arrangement, tourists will also get an opportunity to go closer to nature and understand its various components and the interactions between these components.
The agency has been selected for eco-tourism after completion of all the works of Panpatha near Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Dudhiya Talab and Bison Highway Retreat located near Pench Tiger Reserve. Action will be taken to issue tender for the remaining sites soon. These include Ramgarh, Kerwa, Samardha, Bagonia in Bhopal Forest Division, Kathotia in Sehore, Digambar Falls, Amargarh Water Falls, Dhari Kotla in Khandwa, Boria Mal, Gunjari, Ammamai in South Seoni Forest Division, Amondgarh, Ammamai, Sharda Mandir Hill, Mahadev Cave And Farid Baba, Lamajoti Talab, Jungle Katej Hinauta, Butterfly Park in Raisen, Zip Line Kharbai, Satdhara Jungle Camp, Sesaipura in Kuno Palpur, Ratnai Pahad in West Mandla, Gidli Ghughra, Bokur Dahar, Dindori in Dindori, the furious Dadar, Badwah bird flare, Gangulpara Reservoir in South Balaghat, Deogarh in South Chhindwara, Notghat in Tikamgar.