Hubballi: Nature centre in Daroji draws Hampi tourists

HUBBALLI: Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) built at Daroji, home to Asia’s largest sloth bear sanctuary, is attracting domestic and foreign tourists who visit world heritage site Hampi.
Inaugurated on January 6, the NIC already has tourists flocking in on the Sankranti weekend and Republic Day coming up soon. Tourists are planning a tour to spend at least half a day at NIC, Daroji.
DCF Takhatsingh Ranawat said that NIC, spread over 9,100 sqft, is built by JSW Steel at a cost of about Rs 2 crore.“Infrastructure of this multipurpose facility comprises an 80-seater auditorium to showcase documentaries, movies and references of the ecosystem and biodiversity, a photography exhibition centre, a walkthrough of wildlife, open museum of wild animals' replica, craft shop for souvenirs, collectibles, an office block of the RFO, landscape and other basic utilities,” he said.
“The primary objective is to narrate to wildlife enthusiasts and the younger generation about the rich flora and fauna in Asia's largest sloth bear sanctuary. This facility will provide in-depth learning experience to both nature enthusiasts and keen wildlifers. The centre will also host several ‘Teach the Mentor’ programmes, where school and college teachers of Ballari and the surrounding districts will be exposed to enlightening lectures and live glimpses of the region’s biodiversity. This facility should be able to create interest and awareness among children, educational institutions, provide an inclusive experience to visiting tourists about the sloth bear sanctuary, ecosystem and wildlife as a whole.”
He said that display boards on NIC Daroji are displayed in and around Hampi to attract tourists.
RFO Bhaskar said that tourists are now slowly turning to NIC Daroji. “Nominal work like installation of photographs, chairs and tables will be concluded by this month-end,” he added.
Vinod Nowal, deputy managing director, JSW Steel, said this facility will not only provide the people a sneak peek into how these animals live but also how all of us can contribute to the biodiversity and flora and fauna by following basic aspects of nature. “It’s an instance of the JSW Group’s commitment towards protecting the environment,” he said.
CS Kedar, head of JSW Foundation, mentioned that NIC in Daroji is a unique display of private sector and government understanding. “It also showcases the honest resolve of both industry and government in preserving biodiversity. This is a first and unprecedented move from a manufacturing player to establish such a distinctive biodiversity centre,” he claimed.
RICH BIODIVERSITY
Daroji’s rich ecological diversity has placed it on the world eco-tourism map. The sanctuary boasts of about 120 sloth bears, apart from leopards, hyenas, jackals, wild boars, porcupines, pangolins, star tortoises, monitor lizards, mongooses, peafowl, partridges, painted spur hens, quails which are also in a large number in the area. About 90 species of birds and 27 species of butterflies have also been identified in this sanctuary in a preliminary survey.