In a significant development related to tourism spot in Bastar region, the newly discovered cave located inside the famous Kotamsar cave in Kanger Ghati National Park will not be opened for tourists. Owing to presence of snakes and scorpions in the natural cave and for conducting some test in it, the department has decided not to open it for tourists.
Recently the forest department had discovered a new cave inside the lime stone cave of Kotamsar which has been a big centre of attraction for tourists not only in domestic circle but also at international level. The Kotamsar cave was discovered by geologist Dr Shankar Tiwari in 1961.
It is being said that the chambers of newly discovered cave inside the Kotamsar cave is even bigger than the so far known Kotamsar cave.
Director of the park Anurag Shrivastava informed that tourists are not allowed to enter the new caves as some rare breed of snakes along with scorpions and bats have been spotted in the cave. Besides, geologists and biologists will conduct some tests on the cave and life forms found in it. After it is confirmed that the cave is safe, only then it will be opened, Shrivastava said.
In the Kotamsar cave a rare breed of blind fish is also found whose number has decreased considerably. The department is working to conserve the fish, Shrivastava claimed.
Similar test is being carried out in Dandak cave that was discovered about one and half decades back by the then range officer of forest department Patiram Taram in Kanger Valley National Partk. Presently this cave has also been closed for the tourists.