WILDLIFE TOURISM picks up steam IN EAST
The sprucing of forest infrastructure and the emergence of luxury accommodation options around national parks and sanctuaries are the contributory factors leading to a spurt in wildlife tourism in India. Today’s travellers prefer seclusion, practise new norms, feel safe and comfortable to make a round of national parks. TTJ interacts with a host of travel groups and hoteliers in the eastern zone to gather the current trends and the preferences of travellers dominating the wildlife tourism scene in India.
The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country remained closed at the onset of lockdown during the pandemic times. With the easing of Covid restrictions, these biodiversity hotspots opened up once again for travellers.
According to Chandramouli Thakur, Proprietor, Miles Tourism, “Wildlife tourism has grown exponentially over the last decade and commands diverse clientele across the length and breadth of India. The four destinations- Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai and Kolkata have the most number of wildlife travellers. Travellers with sound disposable income spend three nights going for jungle jaunts with the lure of sighting big cats. In the post-pandemic world, when Covid is still raging, more tourists are looking ahead to throng the wildlife sanctuaries since they prefer seclusion. Some of the most happening wildlife destinations for shutterbugs to capture the big cats are Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National
Park, Pench and Tadoba National Park in the country.”
Besides sighting big cats, there are scores of attractions in the national parks that can be made popular. Thakur said, “We have failed to convince the tourists that there exist other wildlife attractions
apart from tigers. God’s Own Country has the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve while birdwatching sanctuaries are in Arunachal Pradesh. Tourists throng to Desert National Park in Jaisalmer, Manglajodi Bird Sanctuary in Chilika Lake, Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary and Kumbhargaon Bird
Sanctuary near Pune. While focusing on big cats, tourists miss out on viewing the jungle landscape and other forests habitat. It is the responsibility of travel companies to generate awareness in the minds of travellers that wildlife is not confined to tiger sightings. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve prides in having sambhars, rare blue crabs and 12 kinds of kingfishers. These days, tourists are quite serious to go for bird-watching, capturing butterflies and lizards in wild with macro photography.”
Wildlife tourism is in high demand in current times. Kaziranga National Park in Assam, Garumara National Park and Jaldapara National Park figure high in the population of one-horned rhinos. Rajasish Chatterjee, Proprietor, Aranya Jungle Resort, informed, “The most happening wildlife destination in the eastern belt of India is undoubtedly Dooars, which has an array of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Leopards can be sighted at Garumara National Park. The population of Indian bison, elephants and one-horned rhinos is on an upward trend in the national park over the last five years owing to high mass awareness created by the West Bengal government and the state forest department. Although Singalila National Park near Darjeeling and Buxa Tiger Reserve have rare sightings of the big cat, their numbers have risen over the past couple of months.” The jungle resort has 16 luxury cottages and organises tours to wildlife sanctuaries with naturalists serving as guides.
Bird-watching is a common practise at Chuk Chuki tower in Garumara National Park. Chatterjee commented, “Bhutanbound travellers make a brief halt in Dooars. The demand for wildlife tourism will climb in the summer months. There is Gajoldoba wetlands- one of the most cherished projects of the West Bengal government that took off four years ago. Lying in the district of Jalpaiguri, Gajoldoba Wetlands forms home to around 30 species of wetland migratory avian species.”
Wildlife tourism in India is moving on an upward trajectory. Akanksha Garg, Proprietress, Waxpol Hotels and Resorts explained, “Wildlife tourism has grown five-fold in the last decade owing to the major contributing factors like better connectivity, infrastructure and public awareness. Once upon a time, it was the state government and the forest department that made an effort to provide the basic infrastructure like accommodation facilities in forests but in today’s times, be it luxury lodges or ecotourist resorts, there are accommodation
options for every pocket. At the same time, education is provided to travellers on tree plantation drives and migratory birds in national parks. Our national parks are popularised in the global market.”
When it comes to the hottest wildlife destinations in the country, it is Ranthambhore National Park owing to its proximity to the Golden Triangle. Garg said, “At the moment, Kanha National Park, with its bamboo and mixed deciduous forest figures high in being the most happening destination in the country. The national park scores high with its robust population of tigers and leopards and there are great sightings of swamp deer, barasingha, gaur and jackals all-round the year. The impressive faunal sightings help to generate employment for forest villagers.”
Apart from Tiger sightings, there are other wildlife attractions in national parks that require the much-needed boost. Garg further said, “The jungles of Dooars are reputed for the Indian rhinos and the elephant corridor that are chief attractions for tourists. There is a wide range of butterflies and bees in Dooars forests. Our country is endowed with five big cats, saltwater crocodiles in the Sundarbans, snow leopard in Ladakh’s Hemis National Park, the Royal Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans, Asiatic lion in Gir National Park and clouded leopard in Singalila and Neora Valley National Park. Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary lives up to its reputation across the world, but there are amazing bird sightings in Dooars forests.” Garg also pointed out that wildlife tourism has taken a surge in the pandemic and post-pandemic world since an increasing number of people are adopting hygiene and Covid-safety measures.
Waxpol Hotels and Resorts own luxury lodges in the Sundarbans, Pench National Park and in the vicinity of Chalsa in Dooars. Garg added, “Our resorts nestling in greenery are spread over huge areas and have caught the imagination of travellers since driving holidays are trending in the postpandemic era. We have contactless service in terms of checking guests at our Sundarbans resort. There are options for bland food for guests at our resort.”
Gone are the days when only discerning wildlife enthusiasts were visiting the national parks. Things have changed a lot. Sandeepan Ghosh, Founder Member, Eastern Meadows Tours said, “Wildlife tourism is picking up well owing to the proactive approach of both the Central and state governments in protecting our national parks. Poachers are unable to harm the faunal populace and our national parks are most touristfriendly, safe and comfortable. The five most-visited national parks that provide unforgettable views of wildlife are the Sundarbans, Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Jaldapara and Garumara National Park in the East and Northeast region. Wildlife sighting is not the utmost priority of travellers but it is the thrill of being in the heart of the wild. Tourists are keen to visit national parks and most resorts have been booked in advance. Booking through online platforms is the current trend.
The demand has taken a slight dip in the post-pandemic period but is likely to go up in March-end. Bird-watching is a specialised segment and Jaldapara National Park, Kaziranga National Park and the Sundarbans are popular bird sanctuaries.”