The city expressed its unreserved joy at the announcement by Union minister Jairam Ramesh that he was in principal approving the city's demand to be named the tiger capital. MP Vilas Muttemwar, who has been pursuing the tiger tourism concept for the last two years, too expressed joy over Ramesh's nod on Friday to the idea of developing Nagpur as a gateway to tiger land.
"Tourism in Vidarbha is a gold mine waiting to be explored. The rich biodiversity and quick access from Nagpur to a large number of tiger reserves can be transformed into an economic asset, just like the Taj Mahal. A large number of foreign and domestic tourists can be attracted if the tiger gateway is effectively managed and gets the right infrastructure," said Muttemwar.
The senior Congress leader had drawn Ramesh's attention to this in a letter on August 3 2009. Before that, Muttemwar's efforts had led to the then Union tourism minister Ambika Soni sanctioning Rs 37 crore for a mega circuit covering Pench-Ramtek-Khindsi and Nagardhan.
Most of the people said that the Orange City has finally got a status it has deserved for so many years. The TOI initiative in this regard had evoked massive response from citizens. Those who had long aspired for this status were on cloud nine when TOI broke this news to them. Most of them however cautioned that it's just the beginning and there's a long way to go before the city actually becomes the Gateway to Tigerland.
"Now, the focus should be on infrastructure development in the city and on the tiger sanctuaries. We should expedite setting up of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for better conservation of the majestic beast. A national-level conference on tigers should be immediately convened in the city, where Ramesh should be invited as chief guest," Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council president Vilas Kale said.
Endorsing his views, nature lover Anuradha Paul said tourism should be properly monitored and controlled. "I think local communities like villagers and tribals living on forest periphery should be involved in the planning process and they should be given jobs on priority."
Wildlife lover Bandu Dhotre stressed that focus should now shift to the tiger's safety and conservation rather than tourism. "Their safety should be the first priority. Also, awareness is needed in villages near forests and proper facilities should be provided to areas where tigers are frequently sighted."
Elated MLA Devendra Fadnavis believes that efforts should be made to see that tourism and nature go together. "Efforts should also be made to expedite setting up of the Gorewada Zoo in the city, which will truly place Nagpur on the global tourism map," he says.
Kundan Hate, who has been working on tiger conservation along with forest officials since years, feels that the corridors which the majestic beasts use to move around the region need immediate protection. "Just like the Orange city is devoid of oranges now, the tiger capital could lose tigers if their safety is not ensured. The focus should be on tiger conservation rather than tourism," he says.
Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) president Pravin Tapadia said that the tourism, hotel and travel industry would get a huge fillip and employment would be generated by this development. "However, past experience suggests that nothing really happens after the government makes an announcement. We've to ensure that it is a policy decision and a monitoring body should be set up to oversee the development."
Nishikant Mukherjee said there is no other city with so many tigers at its periphery. "Though I am glad that an initiative has been taken, there is still huge scope for development. Any region is developed on the basis of its local assets. I feel that powerful marketing in various avenues is lacking, which adversely affects our wildlife. Also, corruption at local level should be dealt with iron fist so that tourists are not cheated."
However, conservationists like Harshawardhan Dhanwante are not happy over the development. "Poaching of tigers for skin and bones is still continuing in forests around Chandrapur. Maybe this title would have a rolling stone effect afterwards, but presently the situation is pathetic. I'll be happy only when something is actually done for our wildlife."
"Tourism in Vidarbha is a gold mine waiting to be explored. The rich biodiversity and quick access from Nagpur to a large number of tiger reserves can be transformed into an economic asset, just like the Taj Mahal. A large number of foreign and domestic tourists can be attracted if the tiger gateway is effectively managed and gets the right infrastructure," said Muttemwar.
The senior Congress leader had drawn Ramesh's attention to this in a letter on August 3 2009. Before that, Muttemwar's efforts had led to the then Union tourism minister Ambika Soni sanctioning Rs 37 crore for a mega circuit covering Pench-Ramtek-Khindsi and Nagardhan.
Most of the people said that the Orange City has finally got a status it has deserved for so many years. The TOI initiative in this regard had evoked massive response from citizens. Those who had long aspired for this status were on cloud nine when TOI broke this news to them. Most of them however cautioned that it's just the beginning and there's a long way to go before the city actually becomes the Gateway to Tigerland.
"Now, the focus should be on infrastructure development in the city and on the tiger sanctuaries. We should expedite setting up of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for better conservation of the majestic beast. A national-level conference on tigers should be immediately convened in the city, where Ramesh should be invited as chief guest," Vidarbha Economic Development (VED) Council president Vilas Kale said.
Endorsing his views, nature lover Anuradha Paul said tourism should be properly monitored and controlled. "I think local communities like villagers and tribals living on forest periphery should be involved in the planning process and they should be given jobs on priority."
Wildlife lover Bandu Dhotre stressed that focus should now shift to the tiger's safety and conservation rather than tourism. "Their safety should be the first priority. Also, awareness is needed in villages near forests and proper facilities should be provided to areas where tigers are frequently sighted."
Elated MLA Devendra Fadnavis believes that efforts should be made to see that tourism and nature go together. "Efforts should also be made to expedite setting up of the Gorewada Zoo in the city, which will truly place Nagpur on the global tourism map," he says.
Kundan Hate, who has been working on tiger conservation along with forest officials since years, feels that the corridors which the majestic beasts use to move around the region need immediate protection. "Just like the Orange city is devoid of oranges now, the tiger capital could lose tigers if their safety is not ensured. The focus should be on tiger conservation rather than tourism," he says.
Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA) president Pravin Tapadia said that the tourism, hotel and travel industry would get a huge fillip and employment would be generated by this development. "However, past experience suggests that nothing really happens after the government makes an announcement. We've to ensure that it is a policy decision and a monitoring body should be set up to oversee the development."
Nishikant Mukherjee said there is no other city with so many tigers at its periphery. "Though I am glad that an initiative has been taken, there is still huge scope for development. Any region is developed on the basis of its local assets. I feel that powerful marketing in various avenues is lacking, which adversely affects our wildlife. Also, corruption at local level should be dealt with iron fist so that tourists are not cheated."
However, conservationists like Harshawardhan Dhanwante are not happy over the development. "Poaching of tigers for skin and bones is still continuing in forests around Chandrapur. Maybe this title would have a rolling stone effect afterwards, but presently the situation is pathetic. I'll be happy only when something is actually done for our wildlife."
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