At Shahapur,forest tribals take over ecotourism ……..Simit Bhagat
Shahapur: When you journey to the heart of Wapha in the Shahapur forest division of Thane district,dont be surprised to find air-conditioned tents and tribal huts hidden in the foliage.Nature trails with local guides and boat rides are also on offer.Welcome to the new ecotourism centre spread over 14 hectares of forest land,now teeming with wildlife.What sets this project apart is that it is run by the tribal folk of the region who have taken over the ecotourism project from the forest department to ensure that their home is not destroyed in the name of development or tourism.
Forest officials are not complaining either as the new scheme aims to kill three birds with one stone: it will empower tribals,protect the forest and bring in revenue.It will not only attract tourists but also uplift the socio-economic status of the Katkari tribes and other backward caste villagers.
S M Gujar,divisional forest officer (Planning),Thane,said,The forest in Shahapur is rich in bio-diversity.The initiative will help preserve the uniqueness of the forest along with the culture of the tribes.
Members of the Joint Forest Management Committee (JFM) who hail from the nearby Bhagdal village will run the eco-tourism centre and act as guides,cooks and caretakers.JFM committee members had recently visited the Jungle Lodges and Resorts in Karnataka to study a similar ecotourism model.Visitors will be able to experience and enjoy local life.According to forest official,tourists will be able to sample local delicacies prepared by the villagers.The JFM is particularly proud of the cable-stayed tent house and with good reason,too.At 20 ft above the ground,it offers visitors a beautiful view of the Bhatsa River and the forest landscape.
An artificial waterfall,boating facilities,and a nursery of medicinal plants are also on the agenda.The nursery will have a large number of rare herbal trees,which will be of interest to not only botany students,but also school students studying environmental studies, said Gujar.
Kashinath Bhakre of the Bhagdal JFM committee is excited about the venture as now,he will have a say on the ecological health of his forest the only home he knows.We are optimistic that we can run an eco-lodge.We have found new avenues for employment and the business will surely support the local economy, he said.
Villagers do not want the forest destroyed and this initiative,they say,is the best way to protect the environment and their way of life.Its not just about a job for me.The ecotourism protects the forest and our culture.It is important for our future, added Bhakre.
The state government has allotted Rs 1.5 crore for the project,but a large chunk of the revenue earned will go the JFM committee.We are hoping to launch similar projects in other parts of the district in the future, said a forest official.
* UNIQUE INITIATIVE: The 14-hectare forest land has huts,air-conditioned and cable-stayed tents that are maintained by locals
* UNIQUE INITIATIVE: The 14-hectare forest land has huts,air-conditioned and cable-stayed tents that are maintained by locals