CM asks National Geographic to showcase tourism potential of Jharkhand 

Camps at sanctuaries, parks to lure tourists: Hemant

Ranchi, Feb 4: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has directed for setting up camps in wildlife sanctuaries and parks to lure tourists.

“In compliance with the provisions of the Forest (Protection) Act 1980 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the provision of camping at various eco-friendly places has been made under the tourism policy. For this, public private partnership will be encouraged. The Department of Tourism will work with the Forest and Environment Department to develop and improve wildlife parks/zoos, bird watch towers and other useful services for tourists. Wildlife sanctuaries and national parks will be integrated as an integral part of tourism,” said a source in the chief minister’s office.

Chief minister is learnt to have directed forest officials to expedite construction of fossil park.

“Fossil Park is under construction in Sahebganj. Nearly 95 percent of the construction has been completed. After its construction, tourists will be able to see fossils from hundreds of years ago. Special instructions to the Forest Department regarding its construction has been given. The Forest Department is exploring the possibilities of Fossil Park at other places including the hills of Rajmahal,” said the official.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday advised the National Geographic channel to tap the potentials of the State’s tourism sector and said that the channel should bring a coffee table book to highlight tourism in Jharkhand.

Soren said this to a delegation of the National Geographic who had come to meet him.

Soren said that apart from mines and minerals Jharkhand is known for its beautiful landscapes and many ancient sites. He said that Jharkhand has a huge potential in the field of tourism. He said that Jharkhand is rich in terms with tribals and their tradition, customs, art-culture, food and living with natural beauty, ancient historical heritage, archaeological remains, heritage, megaliths, spiritual and adventure sports, etc.

He said that while his government has always tried to project the distinct identity of Jharkhand before the world, the special impetus is given to the tourism sector.
In this context, the CM told the representatives that National Geographic can play an important role in the promotion of tourism in Jharkhand. He said that the channel can help people in knowing about the uniqueness of Jharkhand.

The representatives of National Geographic said that based on Jharkhand, a documentary is being made by their channel. They made a presentation of the film before the CM titled ‘Postcard from Jharkhand’. This documentary has four different segments based on Betla, Mccluskieganj, Netarhat, and surrounding areas. The second segment has captured the beauties of areas covering Giridih, Deoghar, and Maluti. The last one is famous for terracotta temples.
The third segment covers Jamshedpur, Khunti, and Seraikela and surrounding areas, and the fourth segment is based on Ranchi, Hazaribagh, and surrounding areas.

They said that every segment will be a complete film in itself. The CM on this said that the government would extend full cooperation in the documentary being made by National Geographic on Jharkhand. He also gave some of his suggestions to the representatives of National Geographic. He asked them to prepare a coffee table book on Jharkhand tourism, so that information related to Jharkhand tourism can be shared with the people.