Eco-Tourism: Karnataka and Uttarakhand have a lot to share…

Karnataka and Uttarakhand, thanks to the multiple destinations and eco-friendly spots in the evergreen forest terrain, they have a lot to boast of and share to take eco-friendly business to new heights. On the face of it, both states have a plenty when it comes to the frequently visited places by the same tourists which are enough indication of the popularity of such spots. Karnataka continues to remain to be one of the most favourite destinations for all wildlife enthusiasts not only from the host state but to all those from the remaining states and many a country from across the world. Despite ongoing movement by the environmentalists raising an alarm on denuding of forest wealth and vanishing of evergreen cover, there seems to be no dearth of nature lovers making a beeline to the jungles of the state. 

Five Tiger Reserves: According to the state Forest Department, the state boasts of a forest cover spreading into 43,382 square kilometers. The state also has a network of protected areas with Five Tiger Reserves, 30 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 15 Conservation Reserves and one Community Reserve. The work being carried out by the Department can be broadly classified into the following categories: regulatory, protection, conservation and sustainable management.

Jungle Lodges and Resorts: The Jungle Lodges and Resorts is a public enterprise of the Forest Department that has become a big hit among the IT crowd, upper-middle-class people and foreign nationals. Thanks to its abnormal rates for whatsoever reasons, the properties continue to remain a distant dream for people with lower income groups.

Kabini River Lodge

Theme based Resorts: It boasts of several themes based properties including Adventure, Beach, Heritage, Nature and Wildlife. Activities in these resorts include Banana Ride, Bump Ride, Canopy Trails, Day Visit, Elephant Interaction, Jet Ski, Jungle Camps and Trails, Kayaking, Rafting, Safari, Snorkelling, Speed Boat and Trekking.

Resorts across the State: The properties of Jungle Lodges and Resorts are spread across the state and here is the entire list: Anejhari Butterfly Camp, Bandipur Safari Lodge Bandipur, Bannerghatta Nature Camp, Bhagawathi Nature Camp, Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp, Bhimghad Adventure Camp, Blackbuck Resort, Devbhag Beach Resort, Dubare Elephant Camp, Galibore Nature Camp, Gopinatham Mystery Trails, Hampi Heritage & Wilderness Resort, Hemmadaga NatureCamp, JLR Kings Sanctuary, K Gudi Wilderness Camp, Kabini River Lodge, Kali Adventure Camp, Kemmanagundi Hill Resort, Old Magazine House, Om Beach Resort, River Tern Lodge, Sadashivghad Sea View Resort, Sakrebyle Elephant Camp, Seethanadi Nature Camp and Sharavathi Nature Camp.

Pandemic has made people realize the importance of nature: Manoj Kumar, Managing Director of Jungle Lodges and Resorts is a happy person now. He is of the opinion that the "Pandemic has certainly made people realize the importance of nature. JLR being an eco-destination has been attracting a good number of guests post covid. We are working towards enhancing the visitor experience and converting as many visitors as possible into ambassadors of conservation of environment and ecology"

Dubare Elephant Camp

Eco-tourism and Uttarakhand: On the other hand, Uttarakhand is a 21 years old state inheriting a permanent place in the hearts of visitors due to its natural, social and cultural resources. It is also no exaggeration, if it is called an abode of Gods for being blessed with pristine, picturesque environs and innumerable pilgrimage places. The snow clad hilly terrain, panoramic alpine meadows, mighty Himalayan ranges, valleys, rivers and evergreen cover take you to altogether a different world of its own! 

64.8 per cent forest area: According to official sources, the state forest area is 34, 650.56 square kilometers amounting to 64.8 per cent of the total geographical area. The state hosts six National Parks, Seven Wildlife Sanctuaries Four Conservation Reserves stretching to nearly 8,000 square kilometers.

Second highest number of Tigers: The state has only Two Tiger Reserves but has the second highest number of tigers in the country while the renowned Corbett Tiger Reserve boasts of the highest density of tigers in the world! It is also home to nearly, 048 species of angiosperms and gymnosperm while 116 are state specific and 161 classified as rare and under the threat of extinction.

Eco-tourism vision: The Forest Department has set a vision to conserve and develop the natural and cultural heritage through eco tourism activities involving community participation ensuring economic development. Perhaps a tie up between Karnataka and Uttarakhand states will go a long way in mutually benefitting towards achieving an eco friendly tourism vision.

-Manohar Yadavatti