The sixth eco-tourism zone in Corbett Tiger Reserve -- the Dhela ecotourism zone - will open to tourists this year in December after the tiger reserve opens for visitors from November 15.
Nature trails will be opened in this zone from January next year to enable visitors to walk under the guidance of department staff in this area, said State Forest Minister Dinesh Aggarwal.
Addressing the media, the Minister said that as part of efforts aimed at boosting ecotourism in Uttarakhand, the sixth ecotourism zone in Corbett will be opened for visitors this year. "In 2013-14 a total of 2,11,675 tourists including 5,262 foreign tourists visited Corbett resulting in about Rs 7.5 crore revenue. The Dhela ecotourism zone will be opened for tourists from December 1. Visitors are allowed in limited numbers in all the ecotourism zones ensuring that tourism activities do not exert any negative effect on the local environment. Through the ecotourism zones in Corbett and the 31 small circuits we are working on for ecotourism, we are aiming to boost tourism in the State," said the Minister. Aggarwal said that the department will upgrade its guest houses without increasing the capacity and erect tent colonies to accommodate more tourists.
Corbett director Samir Sinha said that tourists visiting the tiger reserve are not allowed to walk inside the tiger reserve area but they will be able to do so in the Dhela ecotourism zone -- consisting of 1,173 hectare area in the buffer zone. "This area is rich in wildlife. A day ago while visiting the area, I saw three sets of fresh tiger pug marks here. After we open the nature trail from January 1 next year, visitors will be able to walk in Corbett under guidance of department staff," he said.
Principal chief conservator of forests, SS Sharma said that 160 hectare area in Sabalgarh near Chidiyapur in Haridwar forest division had been provided for resettlement of Van Gujjars from Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary. A sum of Rs 22 crore has been allocated in this year's State plan for Van Gujjar rehabilitation, he added. PCCF (Wildlife) AK Dutt, chief wildlife warden DVS Khati and Rajaji national park director Neena Grewal were also present on the occasion.