Govt to develop heliports in Valmikinagar, Kaimur to boost eco-tourism

Patna: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Wednesday announced a focused push to strengthen eco-tourism and opportunity in state’s tribal regions, declaring that heliports will be developed in Valmikinagar and Kaimur, areas with a high concentration of tribal population. The initiative is aimed at improving access and attracting visitors while keeping the region’s natural and cultural identity at the centre of development.Speaking during a ‘Samvad’ programme with post-matric scholarship beneficiaries under the theme “Birsa Lives in New Bharat”, held at the CM’s secretariat as part of ‘Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026’, Choudhary said the state govt will also promote home-stay facilities within tribal communities. The move is intended to create local livelihoods and give tourists a closer understanding of tribal culture through direct community participation.The CM also announced that marathons will be organised in tribal areas, with prize money set at Rs1 lakh for first place, Rs75,000 for second, and Rs50,000 for third. In another major announcement, he said a degree college will be opened in Adhaura in Kaimur district, highlighting the hardships faced by tribal residents there and stressing that the govt is working for the advancement and prosperity of tribal society.Choudhary said the year is being observed as the 150th anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, an initiative launched on Nov 15 last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Noting that Birsa Munda was born on Nov 15, 1875, he recalled Munda’s role in the freedom struggle and his efforts for the uplift of tribal society, including his imprisonment and torture while leading a movement against the British.He added that the Prime Minister is working to bring scheduled tribe students into the mainstream, with efforts extending to the grassroots. He cited Eklavya schools established in Bihar by the Union govt, where education will be provided under both Bihar Board and CBSE syllabi to support the progress of scheduled tribe children.On scholarships, he said around 1.4 lakh scheduled caste/scheduled tribe students have benefited under the state’s post-matric scholarship, including 4,155 scheduled tribe students. Under the pre-matric scholarship, 20.46 lakh students have benefited this year, including 1.41 lakh scheduled tribe students.The programme was also addressed by deputy CMs Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav; education minister Mithilesh Tiwari, and scheduled castes and scheduled tribes welfare minister Lakhendra Kumar Raushan.