Eco-tourism Plan For Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 1.0 INTRODUCTION :- Sahyadri Tiger Reserve was declared on 5th January 2010 and later it’s Core and Buffer Zone was declared on 21 August 2012. Hon. Supreme Court of India directed on 16-10-2012, the all states for their Tiger Reserves to have a eco- tourism policy based on guidelines issued by Ministry of Forests & Environment, Government of India dt.15-10-2012. Based on these guidelines, Government of Maharashtra issued Eco-tourism strategy dated 9th November 2012. On the above mentioned background, Eco-tourism in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve has to be regulated and managed as per following guidelines and Government Resolutions. 1. Guidelines by National Tiger Conservation Authority dated 15th October 2012 and orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, dated 16th October 2012. 2. Maharashtra State Eco-tourism Policy 2008 and Eco-tourism strategy dated 9th November 2012. 3. Maharashtra State Government Resolutions, dated 5th and 24th October 2011, Circulars dated 22nd December 2011 and 10th July 2012. The dealing with the tourists on day to day basis is proposed to be managed by the local village eco-development committees for the effective eco- tourism management. Assessment of the tourism potential and regulation in relation to safety of wildlife, habitat and the tourists has to be regulated by the STR management. It is also worth notable that there is very less scope for sighting of major wild animals in STR, as the area is of very undulating terrain interspersed with Sahyadri peaks, valleys and escarpments. Hence, the visitors and the tourist guides have to focus on the unique and rich biodiversity in addition to the scintillating Sahyadri landscape. The people in these areas have suffered right from 1956 by hydroelectrical and irrigation projects, earthquakes, acquisition for sanctuary and national park and are resettled in present locations. So, now their restrictions bearing tolerance is comparatively low. So, the tourism policy to be implemented needs to be used for their upliftment and better quality of life.. 1 PART A - Present Tourism Management The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is having many attractions for facilitating the informed wildlife tourism. Tourists are very much fascinated by the scenic beauty of the region apart from the historical forts like Vasota, Mahimangad, Bhairavgad, Jangali Jayagad etc. Tourists are also attracted for trekking these places and for visiting the temples located at Nageshwar, Parvat, Chakdev etc. Tourists are also fascinated by the famous Koyna dam and its hydroelectricity projects and the water sports in the Shivasagar lake at Tapola. Also, the tourists like to visit the Ozarde waterfalls near Navja village and Nehru garden and research station at Koyna Nagar. Private motor launches are available at Tapola, Bamnoli and Koyna for the movement of tourists. The number of tourists visiting the Chandoli NP is comparatively less in view of the area being remotely located from main roads. Wild animal sighting is more frequent in the existing tourism zone of CNP. Though most of the tourists are especially interested in wildlife observation they are unable to do so due to the undulating terrain, low visibility. Nature lovers, wildlife observers and institutional groups also visit the PA for the study of wild flora and fauna. 3.00 Facilities available to the Tourists :- 3.1 Chandoli National Park :- Current Tourism Area – Name of the village Area Ha. Name of the village Area Ha. Zolambi 886.84 Chandoli Bk. 100.57 Konoli 280.00 Nivale 500.00 Nandoli 596.59 Tambave 150.00 Total 6 2514.00 1. Nature Interpretation Centre – An interpretation centre was established at Mandur, the head quarters of the Range Forest Officer, Chandoli National Park provides basic information to the visitors regarding the local mammals, avifauna, flora, map, sight-seeing places etc. At many occasions, slide shows are also arranged here for the visiting school children, students and tourists. 2 2. Dormitory – There is one dormitory at Mandur of 10-beds capacity. On providing the dormitory facility and improvement of the roads inside the PA, it was observed that the number of visitors to CNP has increased in a short span of two years. 3. Signages - Informative signages have been provided along the roads in the tourism zone. Nature trails are also being maintained for providing informed and interactive wildlife tourism. Good and durable quality boards have been used keeping in view of the high rainfall conditions. Though there is no separate staff earmarked for tourism, but the bigger groups of visitors are provided with the staff members/ daily wage labourers facilitating as eco- tourist guides. 4. Drinking water and Toilet facilities have been made available for the tourists. 5. Watch towers are provided at three places in tourism zone as the attraction points for the tourists. 6. Facility of state transport buses is available up to Kundlapur twice a day up to Mandur at an interval of one hour. This facility has been made available after discussing with the local State Transport authorities. 3.2 Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary Current Tourism Area Name of the village Area Ha. Name of the village Area Ha. Metshindi 56.56 Tambi 657.90 Vasota 392.11 Ghatmatha 285.58 Met induli 1152.16 - - Total 5 2544.31 1. Nature Interpretation Centre – An updated and a quality interpretation centre was recently renovated at Metindoli near the foothills of Vasota fort accessible from Bamnoli, provides information to the visitors regarding the local mammals, birds, butterflies, insects, flora, maps, sightseeing places etc. During many occasions, slide shows are also arranged for the school children, students and tourists in the interpretation centre. 3 2. Signages - Informative signages have been provided along the nature trails in the tourism zone. Nature trails are maintained to facilitate for visiting tourists. 3. There is no separate staff earmarked for tourism, the big tourist groups are provided with staff members/ daily wager labourers as eco - guides. 4. Drinking water and Toilet facilities have been made available for the tourists. 5. Old temples at historic Vasota Fort and Nageshwar Temple and Chakdev are the attraction points for the tourists. 6. The existing facilities mentioned in Annexure 2 are also available. 4.0 Visitation data during the last five years: The following data shows the numbers visitors to the protected areas. The tourist zone needs to be developed near the Koyna dam sight, the entire tourist inflow is yet to be tapped in the KWLS. Around 10,000 tourists visit Ozarde waterfall in the monsoon season which is yet to be tapped for informed wildlife tourism. The tourist inflow considered for the data includes only the visitors entering from Bamnoli side of the Koyna WLS. PA Year Vehicles Tourists CHANDOLI NP 2007-08 204 1197 2008-09 248 1219 2009-10 534 2183 2010-11 739 3569 2011-12 808 4234 KOYNA WLS 2007-08 985 11307 2008-09 1050 11392 2009-10 1082 11654 2010-11 502 5108 2011-12 595 6255 There is 20% to 25% gradual growth in the visitors of Chandoli NP, but in Koyana WLS there is sudden fall in 2010-11 and that is due to withdrawal of halting facility of visitors at Metindoli and Awsari. 4 PART B – PROPOSED TOURISM 5.0 Basis of Proposal : The following areas from core and buffer zone have been considered for tourism considering their potential for tourism as Trek route including the places of religious, historical and other visitor importance, potential for development of Tourism complexes and employment generation for local people in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. All activities proposed will be in the interest of enlightened tourism mainstreaming towards the wildlife conservation. 6.0 Criteria for Identification of Eco-tourism zone and its development The suitable spots and routes are to be identified with following considerations :– Where sighting of wild animals is possible without disturbing the wild animals, Where the trekking can be allowed without disturbing the pristine habitat, Places of religious/ historical/ other visitor importance in the STR Other places of religious/ historical/ visitor importance which are outside/ adjoining the STR, but for which entry is through the STR for which eco-tourism is possible. Guidelines as per the Government Resolution dated 9th November 2012. 7.0 Entry Gates :- Necessary Check Posts shall be erected at the entry points of STR on the roads. The entry points shall be setup to regulate and control the movement of visitors. Proposed Entry Points are 1. For Chandoli NP – Mandur, Udagiri, Kolane, Pandharpani 2. For Koyna WLS – Rasati, Humbarli, Ghatmatha, Bamnoli, Raghuveer Ghat Existing check posts available at Chandoli Bk., Niwale, Udgiri and Raghuveer Ghat needs strengthening. New check posts are required at Zolambi, Uklu, Patharpunj, Nav, Koyna (Nehru Garden), Humbarli – Deshmukhwadi junction, Ghatmatha, Dastan Phata, Vatole, Kathi Tek , Chalakevadi to restrict the unauthorized entries. Fee Chart for Entries is as per Annexure 3. The same may be increased by 10% every year.. 5 Eco-Tourism in Core area :- Details of the area earmarked for eco-tourism in core area of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is given below, Sr. Name of Particulars Area Potential No. PA (ha.) 1 Chandoli a. Zolambi Comptt. No. 21 886.84 National b. Kundalapur to Zolambi Road 7.50 33.75 Park Km x 45 mts( both sides20mts each+ 5 mt road width) c. Amboli to Tambave Road 10 Km. 45 x 45 mts( both sides20 mts each Wildlife and + 5 mt road width) Nature d. Kolane to Patharpunj-Bhairavgad 32.625 sighting. Road 7.25 Km. x 45 mts( both sides 20 mts each+ 5 mt road width) e. Pandhar Pani to Kandhar Waterfall 16.8 4 km.x42mts ( both sides 20 mts each+2 mt road width) f.
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