From liyakhat@EQUITABLETOURISM.ORG Thu Dec 25 17:15:01 2003
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 12:48:16 +0530
From: "Syed Liyakhat, EQUATIONS" 
To: nathistory-india@Princeton.EDU
Subject: Eco-tourism planned around Narmada

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Eco-tourism planned around Narmada

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2003 10:48:07 PM ]
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/363053.cms
<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/363053.cms>

RAJPIPLA: The Narmada district collectorate is promoting the Sardar Sarovar
dam and its surrounding tribal region as possible eco-tourism hotspots. At
the heart of the project, also listed during the Vibrant Gujarat summit, is
the dam itself.

The plan includes the Ninaighat waterfalls in Dediapada-at a height of more
than 30 feet and the Mat-Samot area at 636 metres above sea level as a hill
station. "We already get nearly 1.5 l a k h tourists to the Sardar Sarovar
dam every year," says collector D G Jhalawadia.

"With a little promotion, we can definitely attract about 10,000 tourists to
the Ninai falls which anyway gets about 7,000, including school children,"
he added. He adds that the idea of developing the region as an eco-tourism
destination came about during Chief Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the
Dediapada taluka in June. Impressed by the dense forests, he had suggested
the need for a tourism plan.

Among other areas that will fall under the plan are the Dev Mogra village,
which organises one of the largest tribal fairs in February and the forest
around Shoolpaneshwar wildlife sanctuary, known for its unique species of
parrots apart from flying squirrels and leopards. Also included are the
ancient temples and edicts like Hamuman temple at Kokam, Shilalekhs at
Dumkhal and Kabirvad near Mal-Samot, with a banyan tree covering 3.7 acre
area.

The villages in Mal and Samot, situated 620 metres above sea level with
abundant scenic beauty, too attract tourists throughout the year, say
officials. The establishment is also trying to cash in on the Dev Mogra
fair, held in the name of the tribal deity Panduri Mata during which tribals
from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat congregate there. But the focus
is on using locally-available and environment-friendly resources for all the
projects.

"For instance, no cement has been used in the steps we have laid for going
down to the waterfall. Instead, we have only used clay and straw," says
Jhalavadia. The plan includes setting up basic infrastructure, including
huts and drinking water facility so that people can stay there for a few
days, he added. Even the tourist commercial area, which will cater to the
accommodation, shopping and entertainment needs of the tourists, will use
local resources as far as possible.

"At present, the Ninai falls are seasonal and flow for only a few months
after the monsoon has retreated. But we are hoping to stretch this a little
by creating small check dams around the catchment area," the collector adds.
Although the project put up during Vibrant Gujarat was a grand one,
officials say that use of local resources will reduce the costs in the
initial phase of developing the region. About Rs 19 lakh have been invested
so far in the project.

Liyakhat

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