Jungle Lodges to prepare eco-tourism roadmap for J&K, Punjab

The governments of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab have invited the Karnataka government-owned wildlife and eco-tourism company, Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR), to prepare the feasibility study for promoting eco-tourism in their states.

These two states have signed MoUs with JLR and the company is presently working out the roadmap for J&K and will soon begin work for Punjab.

Said N D Tiwari, managing director, JLR, "We have already visited tourism places in Jammu and Kashmir, and had discussions with officials of tourism and forest departments there and started work on preparing the feasibility of developing eco-tourism resorts on the model of what we have done in Karnataka. For Punjab we have just signed an MoU and will visit the state shortly."

JLR has been operating jungle lodges and resorts in Karnataka over the last 28 years and till now has opened 16 properties in the state. It has acquired a considerable expertise in building a resort at eco-sensitive areas and forests. The company has already prepared a similar eco-tourism blue print for Orissa, about two years ago.

Jammu and Kashmir proposes to develop eco-tourism in the state and has identified several places like Jasrota wildlife sanctuary, Ramnagar, wetlands of Surinsar and Mansar and Nandini wildlife sanctuary, Dachigam, Hokersar and Shallobang wetlands near Srinagar. JLR is also looking at Overa Aru wildlife sanctuary and Gulmarg for setting developing eco-tourism resorts, Tiwari told Business Standard.

"There is a wide scope for promoting eco-tourism in the states of J&K and Punjab. We want to pass on our expertise to these states in developing sustainable eco-tourism," Tiwari said. The company hopes to submit its report to the department of wildlife protection, J&K government by May this year.

Besides providing consultancy services to these two states, JLR is in the process of expanding its own network in Karnataka. It has identified five more places like Daroji Bear Sanctuary near Hospet, Malaya Marutha in Chikmagalur, Gopinatham near Hogenakal falls on the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Ottinanu near Udupi and Jog falls in Shimoga district.