Dahod forests to beckon tourists with leopard as mascot

VADODARA: Will leopard become the mascot of Panchmahals and Dahod jungles like the lion of the Gir. If the talk in the forest department fructifies, soon the leopard or for that matter even the sloth bear of Ratanmal forests may appear on T-shirts, caps and other souvenirs likely to be brought out to bolster forest tourism in this region.
While the idea is still nebulous, officials believe that promoting tourism the way it has been done in Gir may bring in more tourists to Jambughoda Wild Life sanctuary and Ratanmal Sloth Bear Sanctuary.
"It is argued that the sanctuary is not developed but I think if we push the cause of tourism this stretch of jungle on the foothills of Pavagadh definitely holds the potential of being developed into a good tourist spot. A beginning can be made by having small outlets to sell souvenirs using wild animals, particularly the leopard as the trade mark or mascot", said a senior forest official here.
The idea could be replicated for Ratanmal Sloth Bear sanctuary, too. "These sanctuaries have the disadvantage of being in a region that is not developed as a tourism spot. If the Halol-Pavagadh stretch can be developed it will do wonders for Jambughoda sanctuary, too", he said.
Nearly 135 leopards inhabit the Panchmahals forest region. Jambughoda also has antelopes and smaller wild animals. It has a beautiful rest house on an ideal location at Kadana dam - a water reservoir that attracts wild animals.
Votaries of tourism promotion through fashionable gear argue that Jambughoda''s proximity to centres like Vadodara can be a boon. "Jungle attracts adventurers and youngsters are particularly fond of wild life. If we can attract the young crowd of Vadodara and may be from towns like Anand and Vidyanagar, over a period of time the sanctuary will have many tourists", the official said.
Tourism also features in the Jambughoda Wild life sanctuary management plan. Though its study format is not enthusing, it does document the details of having a tourism zone and infrastructure development. "The sanctuary is not yet developed to encourage tourism. Promotion of tourism shall be given complete attention only when the sanctuary gets developed to the extent that wildlife is seen in plentiful", the study says.
However, it mentions that emphasis will be laid on Wild life Interpretation and Education to bring awareness about the real value of wildlife resources. It also mentions watchtowers to spot wild life and nature trails for trekking. The sanctuary tourism promotion is advocated through the use of wildlife literature in form of pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and library facilities at interpretation zone.
Promotion is also to be done through activities like audio-visual presentations, cultural activities, fishing, boating and bird watching.
"Unlike Gir we don''t have a classified zone where one can surely spot wild animals. However, this does not mean that the sanctuary is dull and does not have anything worthwhile to showcase. I think promotions through T-shirts, caps etc., will generate interest and attract tourists", said Dushyant Thaker, in-charge deputy conservator of forests, Godhra forest division.
Thaker and officials like him believe that promotion of wild life tourism for central Gujarat forests can go hand in hand with the leopard and tiger census that will begin on May 24. "This is a good time to do the tourism promotional activity", Thaker said.