New watchtowers for forests

TT, Alipurduar: The state forest department has decided to put up more watchtowers in the buffer zones - areas on the fringes of core forest areas - across north Bengal so that tourists visiting forests in the region during monsoons can have a glimpse of wild animals.

During monsoon, visitors entry is prohibited in the forests across north Bengal as the jungles remain close from June 16 to September 15, as this period is considered to be the breeding season of animals.

State forest minister Binoy Krishna Burman said the new watchtowers have been planned at Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara National Park and Gorumara National Park.

As of now, there are only three-four such towers in the forests of north Bengal and the forest department has planned to erect six-seven more such towers.

"Tourists visiting the region could not enter the forests and have to be satisfied by visiting the few watchtowers located on the fringes of the jungles. That is why, we have planned to come up with some more such towers in different forests of north Bengal. The watchtowers will be open throughout the year and tourists can have a bird's eye view of the adjoining forest and wildlife habitat," Burman said.

"Our plan is to start the construction of the watchtowers immediately and open those for tourists by June 15," said Burman.

People associated with travel trade in the Dooars, have welcomed the initiative.

"We had been demanding that visitors should be allowed to move through the fringe areas during the rainy season. If new towers would be set up in the reserve forests, the inflow of tourists will increase between June and December," said Biplab Dey, joint secretary of the Dooars Tourism Development Forum.