In a bid to boost the eco tourism, the Maharashtra Ecotourism Development Board (MEDB) has identified 32 sites to be developed within the next two years. This was revealed by Kishor Mishrikotkar, Divisional Forest Officer, Maharashtra Ecotourism Development Board (MEDB) while speaking at the Travel and Tourism Track on the topic ‘Wildlife Tourism, EcoTourism and AgroTourism Prospects’ at the 9th edition of Global Nagpur Foundation Summit 2022 at Chitnavis Centre, Civil Lines on Sunday.

Mishrikotkar said that the about 60 per cent of the forest area in the Maharashtra is in Vidarbha. Thus, Vidarbha offers huge growth potential for eco tourism. There are five tiger reserves and six sanctuaries in Vidarbha. Almost all the species of mammals are found in the region. As per the data, he said, that the present capacity in 11 districts of Vidarbha is 534,000 tourists and the current infrastructure can accommodate 10,20,000 tourists. “There is huge potential for eco tourism in Vidarbha,” he said.

Also, the possible tour circuits which the Government wants to develop are Hemalkasa-Bharagad, Somnur, Charala WLS-Sangam, Shekroo-Conservation Reserve and Markhanda Temple in Allapalli. MEDB will be spending Rs 350 crore to develop the Sironcha-Wardham Fossil Park which is the only one in the countr. Another Rs 150 crore will be spent on developing the Visapur Botinical Garden and Forest Academy at Chandrapur among others, Mishrikotkar said. “There is immense tourism potential in Vidarbha which needs to be explored,” he said.

Apart from this, there is need to provide quality services and bring about more awareness among the students about eco-tourism, Mishrikotkar added.

The other panellists were Anil Agarwala, Managing Director of the Tathastu Resorts, Prashant Sawai, Deputy Director, MTDC, Amol Khante, CAC-Allrounder Adventure, Ashok Munne of Ashok Munne Foundation, Nilesh Rahate, Architect and Agritourism Expert, Aditya Dhanwate, expert professional from Wildlife Tourism and Pankaj Mahajan of Smart Welfare Foundation.

Also, Pesh Framjee, London talked via video conferencing about wildlife conservancies in Kenya which offers personal adventure tourism in areas surrounding national reserve which could be adopted in Vidarbha.Pradeep Maheshwari was the Chair for Travel and Tourism Track.