Press Release - Ecotourism

Ecotourism will get a boost in India's oldest National Park - the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve - through a unique public private partnership

This green initiative has a twin purpose in the tiger reserve- preserving the environment and conserving wildlife as well enhancing the welfare of the local people.

The lure for tourists is that they will be able to take a closer look at jungle life that goes beyond the routine safaris and, in the process, be drawn closer to nature. And to strengthen this objective the government has, for the first time, allowed public private partnership to market this destination by setting the first camp, The Hideaway River Lodge, in close proximity to the remote village of Jamun inside the tiger reserve, so that nature lovers can have a glimpse of the culture and lifestyle of indigenous people of the jungle.

Vibhas Prasad, Director, Leisure Hotels Ltd says: "We are the first private hotel chain to have been granted permission to set up a camp in the periphery of the tiger reserve."

He adds: "The camps are being organised on the banks of River Ramganga."

The government move is aimed at checking migration of rural populace to urban areas in search of employment.

The hotels would provide 5 per cent of the annual turnover to the villagers and also provide them with employment opportunities. Mr Prasad said the villagers are employed as jungle guides, cooks and guards in these camps and tourists can enjoy the sylvan beauty of the jungles.

Some of the villages are located in the interior of the jungle and tourists reaching them on elephant backs would find the entire experience highly adventurous. "In addition to the call of the wild, tourists are also being wooed to experience untrammeled rustic culture," adds Mr Prasad.