Sky cycle, gyro ride to add adventure to hills

Nagpur: Even as the Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) is celebrating its 50 years of existence, it is coming up with mega plans to boost adventure tourism. Sky cycling, human gyro ride, climbing wall, zipline, rappelling, and other adventure sports activities will be the new attractions in its buffer zone.The country’s one of the oldest tiger reserves, which is endowed with natural beauty and a mosaic of hills, has drawn a mega ₹22 crore adventure tourism plan.

Amravati district collector Saurabh Katiyar, who evolved the idea, said, “Melghat officials prepared a holistic plan last week. We need to tap the huge potential for adventure tourism there. It will boost the economy by bringing a lot of direct and indirect employment opportunities for local people.”He added, “We will involve other departments and seek allocation from the state government. I will do a follow-up. Already, various works by spending ₹3 crore from DPDC funds are being undertaken.” DFO Yashwant Bahale, who prepared the plan said, “Of the ₹22 crore plan, we are working on ₹3 crore works to set up 15 elevated stay machans, zipline, human gyro, bungee ejection, paddle cycles, wall climbing, eight Swiss tents, bamboosetum and a dormitory for 10 persons. A mini theatre auditorium and a nature interpretation centre will be an added attraction.”The stay machans will be installed at Long Point (4), Kumbhi Balla (4), Popatkhed (4), and Harisal (3) in the buffer zone. Tourists will be able to book these machans online for night stays and feel the forest and wildlife.The other adventure activities are being taken up at the Aamzari tourism complex, 5km from Chikhaldara. A 3.5km nature trail is also being developed from the tourism complex to Mendhadeo waterfall. The site will also have a rappelling activity. A model of wildlife combat survival tactics will also be a new experience for people.The number of tourists in Melghat has increased in the last five years, and figures speaks for themselves. In 2017-18, 54,500 tourists visited the tiger reserve generating a revenue of ₹71.81 lakh. The number of visitors has gone up to 1.67 lakh in 2022-23, earning over ₹3.20 crore.Bahale said during monsoon there is a huge rush in Melghat. “We plan to spend Rs 81 lakh on sky cycle and giant swing at Bhimkund in Chikhaldara. Tourists would walk over the rope amid the 50-metre deep waterfall. A para motoring ride at Motha grounds will be a big hit,” he said. The DFO informed that ₹1.40 crore will be spent to promote the historic Gavilgad fort. Besides, wildlife safari roads, display boards, toilets, and various facilities for tourists will be developed in Vairat. Star gazing at Kalash Shrunkla Point will be set up in Makhla village.“Four new safari routes will be developed between Long Point-Kumbhi Balla, Bhavai-Jawharkund, Golai-Kuwa, and a night safari in Harisal. The stay facilities at Harisal will be completely revamped,” says Sumant Solanke, deputy conservator (DyCF), Gugamal.