ET Bureau KOLKATA: After being known as a Maoist hotbed for years, Jangal Mahal in Bengal is finally trying to shed off its ill repute by promoting their unexplored locales as a tourist attraction in the state. Packaging up the Jangal Mahal circuit that include areas of West Midnapore, Puruliya and Bankura, Bengal government is not only putting up infrastructural facilities like cable cars, heritage hotels and lodges but also inviting private investments to be a part of the endeavour.
The tourism circuit development would take off with Jhargram and the heritage spots around the area. “We have our detailed project report ready. The project would involve investments to the tune of Rs65 crores which are awaited for approvals from the central government,” said state tourism department principal secretary A R Bardhan.
The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) has already started overnight packages where tourists are taken around unexplored areas of Jhargram. The places include the likes of Belpahari, Khagra falls, Kakrajhor, Laljal and others.
The WBTDC is also promoting trekking and other adventure tourism at Kakrajhor. “There are places in Jhargram like Rameshwar Mandir, Banks of river Subarnarekha and Tapavan which is Rishi Valmiki’s burial place which have not been promoted. We are working on highlighting the historic relevance of the place and popularizing them,” added Bardhan.
The tourists are put up at the year old Jhargram lodge and given access to the Jahrgram Rajbari and the package comes with a discount on accommodation at the lodges.
Alongside the tourist lodge that has 22 cottages and is been expanded, WBTDC is also putting up another eight tourist facilitation centre that would consist of a cafeteria, restrooms and four rooms. There's more in the pipeline for the area. Negotiation with the Chilkigarh Rajbari is on for developing a heritage hotel project Chilkigarh’s Rajbari, located 15 km away from Jhargram, that will soon have a palace resort with 10 rooms for guests.
The work at Jhargram is expected to begin in another six months and would take a year and a half to get completed post commencement of work.
According to Bardhan the tourism incentive scheme has come in handy to bring in investments in the state and also places like the Jangal Mahal circuit. “The coming of Lemon Tree brand in Puruliya is just the beginning branded developments taking place in the area. Incentives like five years’ vat return for mega tourism projects have been very helpful to grab investor eyeballs.”
Last year the tourism department gave away subsidies worth Rs 15 crore to hoteliers who invested in Bengal and this year the figure is expected to touch Rs35 crore approximately.
The tourism circuit development would take off with Jhargram and the heritage spots around the area. “We have our detailed project report ready. The project would involve investments to the tune of Rs65 crores which are awaited for approvals from the central government,” said state tourism department principal secretary A R Bardhan.
The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation (WBTDC) has already started overnight packages where tourists are taken around unexplored areas of Jhargram. The places include the likes of Belpahari, Khagra falls, Kakrajhor, Laljal and others.
The WBTDC is also promoting trekking and other adventure tourism at Kakrajhor. “There are places in Jhargram like Rameshwar Mandir, Banks of river Subarnarekha and Tapavan which is Rishi Valmiki’s burial place which have not been promoted. We are working on highlighting the historic relevance of the place and popularizing them,” added Bardhan.
The tourists are put up at the year old Jhargram lodge and given access to the Jahrgram Rajbari and the package comes with a discount on accommodation at the lodges.
Alongside the tourist lodge that has 22 cottages and is been expanded, WBTDC is also putting up another eight tourist facilitation centre that would consist of a cafeteria, restrooms and four rooms. There's more in the pipeline for the area. Negotiation with the Chilkigarh Rajbari is on for developing a heritage hotel project Chilkigarh’s Rajbari, located 15 km away from Jhargram, that will soon have a palace resort with 10 rooms for guests.
The work at Jhargram is expected to begin in another six months and would take a year and a half to get completed post commencement of work.
According to Bardhan the tourism incentive scheme has come in handy to bring in investments in the state and also places like the Jangal Mahal circuit. “The coming of Lemon Tree brand in Puruliya is just the beginning branded developments taking place in the area. Incentives like five years’ vat return for mega tourism projects have been very helpful to grab investor eyeballs.”
Last year the tourism department gave away subsidies worth Rs 15 crore to hoteliers who invested in Bengal and this year the figure is expected to touch Rs35 crore approximately.
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