The Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary has been opened to tourists after permission from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, but due to inadequate publicity and only one tourist gate, the number of tourists reaching here is not much.
Chief conservator of forests, Wester Circle, Vivek Pandey said that Chorgalia and lalkuan areas will become part of the international tourist circuit with the opening of Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary for visitors as tourists will be able to watch wildlife closely.He said that only one gate to Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary has been opened in the first stage. Three zones have been created for tourists in this wildlife sanctuary which will remain open for visitors only during the daytime. However, efforts are also being made to ensure that the visitors do not disturb the wildlife by allowing the tourists to visit the peripheral areas of the jungle.
Various works are yet to be done in this wildlife sanctuary where roads are being made apart from which rest houses are being prepared at Nandhaur, Sonapani, Sharda and Jaulasal. At present, the tourists are being allowed to enter in their own vehicles. A dozen nature guides have been trained to accompany the tourists with Rs 250 being charged per vehicle and Rs 100 per tourist.
Nandhaur sub divisional officer PC Arya said that the arrival of tourists is picking up gradually. This wildlife sanctuary hosts tigers, elephants, leopards, hyena and bear among other wildlife.