Indore: Here is good news for nature and adventure-lovers in Indore and its nearby districts. An ecotourism-cum-adventure park is going to come up in Umrikheda, near Indore, even as the much-awaited night safari is set to start in Ralamandal in a month.
A team comprising water resources minister and district in-charge Tulsi Silawat, forests minister Vijay Shah, tourism and culture minister Usha Thakur and principal secretary (forests) Ashok Varnwal will visit Umrikheda and Ralamandal on June 30. They held a meeting in Vallabh Bhavan on Wednesday and discussed about the Ralamandal sanctuary and development of the ecotourism park. Silawat said instructions had been given to prepare an action plan for setting up an ecotourism park in Umrikheda. Shah said there were many possibilities for ecotourism in Indore and the forest department was working on the possibilities.
‘Park to be built on PPP model’
‘We’ll do site inspection in Umrikheda on June 30 and talk to the local public representatives. We want to set up luxury tents for accommodation, adventure activities and walking and cycling treks in the proposed ecotourism park. We want the state’s commercial capital to be recognised in the ecotourism sector, too. The park could be made on the PPP model’
— Vijay Shah, minister for forests
‘Butterfly park and food zone’
‘As for Ralamandal, the CCF and DFO have been instructed to prepare a detailed action plan for enhancing the facilities. They’ve been told to include a butterfly park and food zone in the action plan of the Ralamandal sanctuary’
— Tulsi Silawat, water resources minister and district in-charge
‘A new circuit of ecotourism’
‘The night safari in the Ralamandal sanctuary will increase people’s attraction towards Indore. There’s immense potential for ecotourism in the Mhow region too. A detailed action plan for Mhow will also be made soon. By connecting Umrikheda, Simrol, Mhow and Indore city, a circuit of ecotourism can be prepared’
— Usha Thakur, tourism and culture minister
’15-foot-high mesh for animals’
‘The night safari will be allowed in Ralamandal as soon as the proposal comes from the district level. A 15-foot-high mesh should be installed in Ralamandal to prevent wild animals’ entry into the residential areas’
— Ashok Varnwal, principal secretary (forests)
