Department of Tourism, Government of Jharkhand is no longer running after big names and agencies in tourism to help them. Instead, it has turned its attention to sources nearer home like NGOs for Village and Adventure Tourism. According to sources from the tourism department, it will soon tie up with Vikas Bharati from Ranchi and Jamshedpur-based Kalamandir.
Siddharth Tirpathi, Director of Tourism, Government of Tourism said that formal paperwork is yet to be inked. He added it would be done soon. “Vikas Bharati operates in Palamau, Netarhat and adjacent areas where it is doing a commendable job by linking rural residents with livelihoods such as craft, agriculture and entrepreneurship. These sites are good for Village and NatureTourism. We thought of roping the NGO as it is familiar with the area, lifestyle and culture,” said Tripathi.
Similarly, he added, Jamshedpur-based Kalamandir had an insider’s knowledge of Seraikela region. “We have already created an eco tour camp in Dalma and are receiving lots of enquiries. Kalamandir will soon begin bookings,” Tripathi said, adding that part of the profit would go to the forest department for maintenance.
According to a report in Telegraph by ASRP Mukesh, contrary to previous years, both Netarhat and Dalma have seen a good number of tourists this year with close to 70 per cent occupancy. “These places are perfect destinations as weekend getaways. It’s a fairly new concept in Jharkhand, but given a chance, people will explore it,” he said.